HX64072932 
I231.L4G79        Report  of  British  de 


o    RECAP 


U.  S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  LABOR 
BUREAU  OF  LABOR  STATISTICS 


ROYAL  MEEKER,  Commissioner 


BULLETIN  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES)  (WHOLE    lOO 

BUREAU    OF    LABOR    STATISTICS}    *  '   '■    j  NUMBER    lOO 


INDUSTRIAL      ACCIDENTS      ANO      HYGIENE      SERIES:      No.      8 


REPORT  OF  BRITISH  DEPARTMENTAL  COM- 
MITTEE ON  THE  DANGER  IN  THE  USE  OF 
LEAD  IN  THE  PAINTING  OF  BUILDINGS 


MARCH,  1916 


WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE 

1916 


■■i  i  ii  i 


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U.  S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  LABOR 
BUREAU   OF   LABOR   STATISTICS 

ROYAL  MEEKER,  Commissioner 

BULLETIN  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES!  $  WHOLE    1 

BUREAU    OF    LABOR    STATISTICS/    *   '   '    '{NUMBER    I 

INDUSTRIAL      ACCIDENTS      AND      HYGIENE      SERIES:      No.      8 


REPORT  OF  BRITISH  DEPARTMENTAL  COM- 
MITTEE ON  THE  DANGER  IN  THE  USE  OF 
LEAD  IN  THE  PAINTING  OF  BUILDINGS 


MARCH,  1916 


WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE 

1916 


G-71 


CONTENTS. 

Page. 
Preface 5-8 

Introductory 9, 10 

Meetings  of  committee 9 

"Witnesses  called  by  committee 9 

Witnesses  submitted  by  white  lead  corroders' section  of  London  Chamber 

of  Commerce 9, 10 

Summary  of  evidence 11-112 

Dr.  Legge 11-13 

Master  House  Painters  and  Decorators  in  England 13-30 

Master  House  Painters  in  Scotland 30-34 

National  Amalgamated  Society  of  House  and  Ship  Painters 35-38 

Scottish  Society  of  House  and  Ship  Painters 39,  40 

Color,  paint,  oil  and  varnish  trades  associations 40-45 

Other  manufacturers  of  paints  or  paint  materials 45-58 

Chemists 58-62 

Sir  Henry  Cunynghame,  K.  C.  B 63,  64 

H.  M.  office  of  works G4-69 

Royal  Institute  of  British  Architects 69,  70 

Messrs.  Cadbury  Bros.  (Ltd.) 70,  71 

Statistical  evidence 71-73 

Ship  painting 73-77 

Bridge  painting 77,  78 

White  lead  corroders'  witnesses 78-112 

Analysis  of  evidence 113-121 

Extent  of  lead  poisoning  evil 113-121 

Deaths  from  lead  poisoning 113-119 

Estimate  of  number  of  nonfatal  cases 119-121 

Action  taken  by  foreign  governments 122-124 

France 122 

Austria 122 

Germany 122 

Belgium 123 

Holland 123, 124 

Switzerland 124 

Methods  of  dealing  with  lead  poisoning 124-152 

Regulations 124-135 

Prohibition  or  restriction  of  use  of  lead 135-147 

Adequacy  of  supply  of  leadless  materials  for  paints 147-150 

Restriction  of  the  use  of  lead  to  not  more  than  5  per  cent  of  soluble 

lead 150-152 

Recommendations 152-154 

Memorandum  by  Mr.  W.  G.  Sutherland 155-184 

Notes  on  Mr.  Sutherland's  memorandum 183, 184 

Table  of  information  supplied  by  users  of  leadless  paints 186-199 

Appendix 200-202 

3 


BULLETIN  OF  THE 
U.  S.  BUREAU  OF  LABOR  STATISTICS. 

WHOLE  NO.  188.  WASHINGTON.  MARCH,  1916. 

REPORT  OF  BRITISH  DEPARTMENTAL  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  DANGER 
IN  THE  USE  OF  LEAD  IN  THE  PAINTING  OF  BUILDINGS. 

PREFACE. 

The  extent  of  lead  poisoning  among  industrial  workers  has  long  been 
the  subject  of  serious  concern  to  the  factory  inspection  authorities 
in  Great  Britain.  By  the  Factory  Act  of  1895,  regulations  effective 
January  1,  1896,  were  introduced  in  Great  Britain,  requiring  re- 
ports of  lead  poisoning  in  a  list  of  factory  industries  and  endeavoring 
to  control  the  use  of  lead  so  far  as  practicable  in  order  to  safeguard 
the  health  of  the  workers.  As  a  result  of  these  regulations,  the  num- 
ber of  cases  of  lead  poisoning  has  been  greatly  reduced,  so  that  the 
average  annual  number  reported  in  the  five-year  period,  1910-1914, 
was  less  than  one-half  the  number  annually  reported  in  the  five-year 
period,  1896-1900. 

Owing  to  the  difficulty  of  securing  reports  of  cases  of  lead  poisoning 
occurring  outside  of  factories,  information  at  all  complete  has  been 
lacking  as  to  the  extent  of  lead  poisoning  among  painters  employed 
on  buildings.  On  January  20,  1911,  in  response  to  a  long-continued 
and  insistent  public  demand,  the  Home  Secretary  appointed  two 
departmental  committees  to  study  the  danger  attendant  on  the  use 
of  paints  containing  lead  to  the  health  of  persons  engaged  in  painting, 
and  to  consider  and  report  what  should  be  done  to  obviate  or  reduce 
the  danger.  To  one  of  these  committees  was  assigned  the  study  of 
the  painting  of  buildings,  and  to  the  other  the  painting  of  coaches  and 
carriages.  The  report  of  the  first  committee,  made  after  extensive 
investigations,  was  issued  on  May  5,  1915.  The  report,  however, 
bears  the  date  of  November,  1914. 

Besides  the  chairman,  the  committee  consisted  of  two  members 
of  Parliament,  the  medical  inspector  of  factories,  and  two  representa- 
tives each  of  employing  painters  and  of  working  painters.  The 
appointment  of  this  committee  was  prompted  by  the  numerous  cases 
of  lead  poisoning  among  painters  and  the  belief  that  much  of  it  could 

5 


6  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU'  OF    LABOR    STATISTICS. 

be  prevented  by  the  same  careful  regulation  or  restriction  which  has 
proved  effective  in  preventing  lead  poisoning  in  factories. 

The  committee's  report  is  based  upon  the  evidence  of  118  witnesses, 
of  whom  93  were  selected  by  the  committee  as  representatives  of 
employers,  painters,  paint  and  paint  material  manufacturers,  con- 
sultants to  paint  makers,  chemists,  architects,  physicians,  and  others 
with  special  knowledge  of  ship  and  bridge  painting  and  lead  poisoning. 
The  remaining  25  witnesses  were  brought  forward  by  the  white  lead 
corroders'  section  of  the  London  Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  included 
a  certain  number  from  France,  Germany,  Austria,  Belgium,  Holland, 
and  Switzerland.  The  report  is  printed  in  a  volume  of  134  pages, 
summarizing  and  analyzing  the  evidence  and  presenting  the  recom- 
mendations of  the  committee.  A  second  volume  giving  the  testi- 
mony of  the  witnesses  in  full  is  yet  to  be  issued. 

The  enactment  of  a  law  prohibiting  the  importation,  sale,  or  use 
of  any  paint  material  containing  more  than  5  per  cent  of  its  dry  weight 
of  a  soluble  lead  compound  is  the  principal  recommendation  of  the 
committee.  The  committee  recognized  that  in  connection  with  such 
a  restriction  as  it  recommends  it  would  be  necessary  to  exempt  specifi- 
cally certain  classes  of  colors,  such  as  those  used  by  artists,  and  that 
it  would  be  desirable  to  authorize  the  granting  of  exemptions  appli- 
cable only  to  special  branches  of  the  painting  industry,  where  it  could 
be  shown  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Home  Secretary  that  the  use  of 
lead  paints  containing  more  than  5  per  cent  of  soluble  lead  can  not 
as  yet  be  dispensed  with.  In  such  cases  it  is  considered  desirable 
that  the  Home  Secretary  be  given  power  to  enforce  adequate  precau- 
tionary measures,  namely,  abolition  of  dry  rubbing  down,  provision 
for  overalls,  lunch  rooms,  cloak  rooms,  elevators,  medical  examina- 
tions, and  the  like,  all  of  which  should  be  made  compulsory  and  should 
be  enforced  by  adequate  inspection.  The  supplying  of  lead  materials 
to  any  user  granted  such  exemption  could  be  controlled  by  permitting 
paint  manufacturers  to  supply  the  materials  in  question  only  on 
condition  that  they  submit  in  writing  to  the  proper  Government 
department  the  name  and  address  of  the  customer. 

To  give  adequate  time  for  paint  makers  and  others  to  arrange  for 
supplies  of  nonpoisonous  materials  and  also  to  facilitate  the  intro- 
duction of  modifications  in  painting  methods,  where  special  work 
necessitates  such  changes,  the  committee  recommends  that  the 
restriction  of  the  amount  of  lead  in  paints  to  not  more  than  5  per 
cent  of  soluble  lead  should  not  be  enforced  until  three  years  after 
the  publication  of  its  report. 

Attention  is  directed  to  the  possible  dangers  to  health  arising  from 
the  vapors  of  linseed  oil  and  turpentine  or  turpentine  substitutes 
used  in  all  paints  whether  compounded  with  lead  or  leadless  pigments, 
and  to  the  consequent  importance  of  investigating  their  possible 


DANGER  IN  USE  OF   LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING   OF   BUILDINGS.  7 

effect  on  health  which  the  evidence  before  the  committee  indicated 
might  be  serious  enough  to  require  action  on  the  part  of  the  Home 
Office.  The  committee  is  of  the  opinion  that  any  bill  proposing  to 
effectuate  its  recommendations  should  empower  the  Home  Secretary 
to  make  regulations,  if  he  finds  it  necessary,  similar  to  those  which 
he  is  now  authorized  by  law  to  establish  in  factories  and  work- 
shops. 

The  committee  found  that  serious  efforts  had  been  made  to  deal 
with  the  evil  of  lead  poisoning  among  house  painters  in  France, 
Austria,  Germany,  Holland,  Belgium,  and  Switzerland,  and  suggests 
that  Great  Britain  should  not  be  behind  other  countries  in  such  a 
matter.  Two  methods  of  dealing  with  the  evil  suggested  themselves: 
Either  (1)  the  industry  must  be  governed  by  a  strict  code  of  regula- 
tions, or  (2)  the  use  of  lead  must  be  prohibited  altogether,  or  at  any 
rate  restricted  within  very  narrow  limits. 

The  proposal  to  deal  with  the  situation  by  regulation  the  com- 
mittee regards  as  impossible,  for  four  principal  reasons:  (1)  The 
inadequacy  of  regulations  to  cope  with  the  evil;  (2)  the  difficulty  of 
prohibiting  dry  rubbing  down,  the  most  frequent  cause  of  lead 
poisoning;  (3)  the  cost  and  difficulty  of  complying  with  various 
precautionary  measures;  and  (4)  the  insuperable  difficulty  of  enforc- 
ing regulations  by  adequate  inspection. 

The  second  method  for  the  prevention  of  lead  poisoning,  by  the 
prohibition  of  the  use  of  lead  or  its  restriction  within  very  narrow 
limits,  was  favored  by  a  majority  of  employers  who  appeared  before 
the  committee. 

The  committee  found  from  the  evidence  before  it  that  not  only 
are  leadless  paints  suitable  for  interior  work  but  that  they  had  been 
used  successfully  on  exterior  surfaces.  The  leadless  paints  claimed 
to  be  of  sufficient  durability  for  exterior  use  were  found  already 
obtainable  in  considerable  numbers,  with  every  indication  that 
legislation  affecting  the  amount  of  lead  permissible  in  paints  would 
give  a  great  impetus  to  the  manufacture  of  the  nonpoisonous  substi- 
tutes. 

The  white  lead  industry  in  Great  Britain  in  1910  produced  58,000 
tons,  85  per  cent  of  which  was  for  home  consumption.  It  employed 
approximately  2,500  persons  with  annual  wages  of  8750,000.  The 
capital  invested  amounted  to  $6,500,000.  In  lead  mining  approxi- 
mately 2,700  persons  were  employed,  with  annual  wage  payments 
only  slightly  less  than  in  the  white  lead  industry.  It  was  estimated 
that  the  prohibition  of  the  use  of  white  lead  according  to  the  com- 
mittee's recommendations  would  limit  the  demand  for  this  material 
t<>  23,000  tons  and  would  also  reduce  the  demand  for  pig  lead  by 
about  25  per  cent. 


8  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU   OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

Among  the  persons  employed  as  house  painters  in  England  and 
Wales,  about  30  deaths  from  lead  poisoning  are  reported  each  year. 
As  to  the  number  of  nonfatal  cases  there  are  no  complete  statistics, 
since  house  painters  do  not  come  under  the  factory  acts  and  reports 
of  cases  are  entirely  voluntary.  However,  the  number  of  nonfatal 
cases  is  estimated  at  about  750  per  annum. 

In  Great  Britain  the  production  of  zinc  oxide,  the  principal  sub- 
stitute for  white  lead  in  outdoor  painting,  is  small,  but  the  com- 
mittee is  of  the  opinion  that  a  larger  call  for  zinc  paints  would  lead 
to  the  establishment  of  zinc  oxide  works  on  a  scale  sufficient  to 
meet  all  demands. 

The  recommendations  of  the  committee  are  signed  by  seven  of  its 
eight  members,  one,  a  representative  of  the  association  of  master 
painters,  submitting  a  minority  report.  This  minority  report  vig- 
orously challenges  the  conclusions  and  recommendations  of  the  other 
members  of  the  committee  and  urges  that  regulation  should  at  least 
be  given  a  thorough  trial  before  prohibiting  the  use  of  so  valuable  a 
paint  material  as  white  lead.  This  recommendation  is  based  upon 
the  claim  that  the  center  of  danger  in  all  industries  is  the  dust  pro- 
duced, and  that  in  painting  the  dust-producing  processes  harmful  to 
the  health  of  the  workers  rest  on  the  dry  rubbing  of  lead  paint. 
Therefore,  it  is  suggested  that  the  rational  course  is  to  prohibit  under 
heavy  penalties  the  practice  of  dry  rubbing  down,  and  thus  remove 
the  great  source  of  danger  from  jDoisoning  by  lead  dust. 

The  full  text  of  the  report  is  reproduced  in  the  following  pages. 


INTRODUCTORY. 

To  the  Eight  Honorable  Reginald  McKenna,  M.  P.,  His  Majesty's 
Principal  Secretary  of  State  for  the  Home  Department. 
Sir:  We  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  dealing  with 
the  matters  referred  to  us  by  His  Majesty's  principal  secretary  of  state 
for  the  Home  Department  in  the  warrant  of  appointment  issued  on 
January  20,  1911. 

The  committee  have  met  on  49  days,  of  which  37  were  occupied 
in  taking  evidence  and  12  solely  in  deliberation. 

In  all  118  witnesses  were  examined,  of  whom  93  were  selected  and 
called  by  the  committee  as  adequately  covering  all  the  aspects  of 
the  problem  submitted  for  solution,  viz: 
38  employers  of  house  painters; 
11  operatives'  representatives; 

25  representatives  of  makers  of  paint  or  paint  materials; 
2  consultants  to  paint  makers; 

4  chemists;  • 

2  witnesses  representing  the  Royal  Institute  of  British  Archi- 
tects ; 

4  doctors  and  others  with  special  knowledge  of  lead  poison- 

ing in  the  house  painting  industry; 

5  witnesses  who  dealt  mainly  with  ship  painting; 

2  witnesses  who  dealt  mainly  with  bridge  painting. 
The  remaining  25  witnesses  were  brought  forward  by  the  white 
lead  corroders'  section  of  the  London  Chamber  of  Commerce,  and 
included  a  certain  number  from  France,  Germany,  Austria,  Belgium, 
Holland,  and  Switzerland.  Their  evidence  might  well  have  been 
regarded  as  irrelevant  to  the  questions  involved  in  the  terms  of 
reference,  but  inasmuch  as  the  interests  which  they  represented 
were  from  an  indirect  point  of  view  such  as  were  most  liable  to  be 
affected  by  any  drastic  interference  with  the  present  conditions  of 
the  house  painting  trade,  the  committee  unanimously  agreed  that 
they  should  be  heard,  and  the  fullest  consideration  given  to  any 
arguments  which  they  had  to  adduce.  In  the  event,  tlieir  evidence 
proved  to  be  very  voluminous  and  greatly  extended  the  period  occu- 
pied by  the  inquiry. 

The  full  list  of  witnesses  who  attended  at  the  request  of  the  white 
lead  corroders'  section  of  the  London  Chamber  of  Commerce  was  as 
follows: 

Dr.  I.  Kaup,  a  chief  of  the  c'entral  organization  for  social  hy- 
giene in  Berlin,  and  formerly  Government  medical  officer 
in  Vienna,- who  spoke  regarding  the  conditions  in  Germany 
and  Austria; 
Dr.  J.  Rambousek,  Government  medical  officer  for  Bohemia, 
who  gave  evidence  regarding  the  working  of  regulations  in 
Austria; 

9 


10  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

Mr.  de  Morsier,  reporter  of  the  Swiss  commission  on  the  use 

of  white  load; 
Dr.  M.  Rock,  chef  de  clinique  at  the  cantonal  hospital  ot 

Geneva; 
Prof.  Wefers-Bettink,  of  the  University  of  Utrecht,  who  spoke. 

regarding  house  painting  in  Holland; 
Mr.  K.  W.  Goadby,   consulting  pathologist,   Harley  Street, 

London;  T 

Prof.  H.  E.  Armstrong,  professor  of  chemistry  at  the  City  and 

Guilds  of  London  Central  Institute; 
Mr.  C.  A.  Klein,  chief  chemist  of  the  Brimsdown  White  Lead 

Mr.  O.  Meissl,  a  master  painter  of  Vienna,  employing  from 

300  to  400  workmen; 
Mr.  Ch.  Ricker-Devroede,  a  master  painter  of  Brussels; 
Mr*.  Nooijen,  a  master  painter  of  The  Hague,  Holland; 
Mr.  E.  Niederhauser,  a  master  painter  of  Cologne,  Germany, 

employing  from  80  to  100  workmen; 
Mr.  J.  Sibthorpe,  a  master  house  painter  of  Dublin,  employ- 
ing about  50  workmen; 
Mr.  G.  Plumb,  foreman   for   Messrs.  G.    Trollope   &    Sons, 

house  painters,  Pimlico,  employing  from  150  to  350  painters; 
Mr.  A.  Villemot,  president  of  the  Color  and  Varnish  Manu- 
*     facturers'  Association  of  Paris; 
Mr.    E.    Expert-Bezancon,    a    white    lead    manufacturer    of 

Aubervilliers,  France;  . 

Mr.  H.  Leyendecker,  president  of  the  German  White  Load 

Manufacturers' Association; 
Mr.  H.  Miller,  secretary  of  the  London  Chamber  ol  Com- 

merce" 
Capt.  M'.  Francis  and  Mr.  E.  N.  Humphreys,  who  spoke  for 

the  lead-mining  interest  of  Halkyn,  North  Wales; 
Mr.  H.  Gardner  and  Mr.  J.  Matton,  members  of  firms  prominent 

in  the  wholesale  metal  market  of  London; 
Mr  J.  Holt  Schooling,  fellow  of  the  Royal  Statistical  Society; 
Mr   H   C.  Lancaster  &  Mr.  E.  M.  Johnson,  members  of   the 

firm  of   Locke,  Lancaster  &  W.  R.  Johnson  (Ltd.),  white 

lead  manufacturers,  of  London.  _ 

The  whole  evidence  of  the  118  witnesses  examined  is  printed  in 
extenso  in  a  separate  volume,  and  the  purport  of  it  is  here  sum- 
marized on  the  pages  immediately  following,  viz,  pages,  11  to  112. 


SUMMARY  OF  EVIDENCE. 

DR.  T.  M.  LEGGE. 

Dr.  Legge,  H.  M.  medical  inspector  of  factories,  gave  evidence 
regarding  the  occurrence  of  cases  of  lead  poisoning  amongst  house 
painters.  The  provisions  of  section  73  of  the  Factory  and  Workshop 
Act,  1901,  requiring  the  notification  by  medical  practitioners  of  cases 
of  lead  poisoning  coming  under  their  notice,  does  not  apply  to  house 
painters,  as  the  occupation  of  the  latter  is  not  one  within  the  scope  of 
the  factory  acts.  A  considerable  number  of  cases  are,  however, 
reported  every  year  by  medical  practitioners  voluntarily  without 
any  legal  requirement. 

INCIDENCE  OF  LEAD  POISONING. 

In  this  way  1,973  cases  were  reported  among  house  painters  and 
plumbers  in  the  years  1900-1909,  inclusive,  and  232  cases  in  1910; 
of  these  232  the  house  painters  numbered  197,  and  the  remaining 
35  were  plumbers;  approximately  the  same  relation  between  cases 
amongst  house  painters  and  those  amongst  plumbers  obtains 
throughout  the  recorded  figures. 

The  table  handed  in  by  Dr.  Legge *  shows  that  the  largest  number 
of  reported  cases  occurs  in  London.  Birmingham  comes  next,  Man- 
chester third,  Bristol  fourth,  and  Leeds  fifth.  In  the  whole  of  Scot- 
land only  20  cases  were  reported  in  the  five  years  1906-1910,  12  of 
those  cases  being  from  Glasgow. 

All  the  above  figures,  however,  can  only  be  regarded  as  a  fraction 
of  the  whole,  as  the  notification  is  purely  voluntary. 

FATAL  CASES. 

In  regard  to  fatal  cases  of  lead  poisoning  among  house  painters, 
Dr.  Legge  was  able  to  give  accurate  statistics  for  England  and  Wales, 
as  an  arrangement  exists  with  the  registrar  genemi  whereby  district 
registrars  notify  the  chief  inspector  of  factories  and  send  copies  of 
death  certificates  in  all  cases  in  which  lead  is  directly  or  indirectly 
the  cause.2  In  the  10  years  1900-1909,  inclusive,  the  total  number 
of  deaths  from  lead  poisoning  among  house  painters  and  plumbers 
amounted  to  387. 

i  Pee  Appendix  V  [in  Minutes  of  Evidence,  presented  in  a  separate  volume  of  the  original  report  1. 

2  This  arrangement  has  been  in  force  with  the  registrar  general  for  England  and  Wales  since  1  - 
unfortunately'similar  statistics  are  not  available  for  Scotland  and  Ireland,  as  corresponding  arrangi 
with  the  registrar  generals  of  those  countries  were  only  made  iu  1910.    The  number  of  deaths  reported  m 
the  last  four  years  are  as  follows: 

1910 

1911 48 

1912 47 

1913 37 

11 


12  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

ESTIMATED  TOTAL  NUMBER  OF  CASES. 

Complete  statistics  arc  available  for  attacks  as  well  as  deaths  in 
respect  of  19  classes  of  workers,  namely: 

1.  Smelting  of  metals. 

2.  Brass  works. 

3.  Sheet  lead  and  lead  piping. 

4.  Plumbing  and  soldering. 
5.-  Printing. 

6.  File  cutting. 

7.  Tinning  and  enameling. 

8.  White  lead. 

9.  Red  lead. 

10.  China  and  earthenware. 

11.  Lithotransfers. 

12.  Glass  cutting  and  polishing. 

13.  Enameling  iron  plates. 

14.  Electric  accumulators. 

15.  Paints  and  colors. 

16.  Coach  building. 

17.  Shipbuilding. 

18.  Paint  used  in  other  industries. 

19.  Other  industries. 

Assuming  that  the  proportion  of  deaths  to  attacks  is  about  the 
same  amongst  house  painters  as  amongst  these  other  lead  workers, 
Dr.  Legge  arrives  at  an  estimated  figure  for  the  total  attacks  in  the 
10  years  1900-1909  amongst  house  painters  and  plumbers  as  9,516. 

SEVERITY  OF  ATTACKS. 

In  reply  to  Q.  161 x  Dr.  Leggc  states  that  he  was  impressed  with  the 
prevalence  of  severe  symptoms,  such  as  paralysis  and  brain  symp- 
toms and  chronic  plumbism,  amongst  many  of  the  house  painters 
notified  as  suffering  from  lead  poisoning. 

SOURCES  OF  LEAD  POISONING. 

Dr.  Legge,  in  reply  to  Q.  162,1  classified  the  chief  causes  amongst 
house  painters  in  the  order  of  their  importance  as  follows: 

(1)  Dust  fiom  mixing  dry  white  lead  with  oil. 

(2)  Dust  arising  from  paint  which  has  dried  on  overalls. 

(3)  Dust  from  sandpapering  one  coat  of  paint  before  applying 

another. 

(4)  Contamination  of  food  by  unwashed  hands. 

(5)  Possibly  the  fumes  from  burning  off  old  paint. 

REGULATIONS. 

"While  there  are  no  regulations  in  force  in  Great  Britain  dealing 
with  the  work  of  house  painters,  because  the  Home  Office  has  no 
powers  to  deal  with  the  painting  in  places  outside  the  scope  of  the 
Factory  and  Workshop  Act,  Dr.  Legge  regarded  the  dangers  of  lead 
poisoning  as  quite  as  great  and  perhaps  greater  than  those  in  other 
employments  for  which  regulations  have  been  made. 

1  Question  numbers  throughout  refer  to  number  of  inquiry  put  to  witness,  in  Minutes  of  Evidence. 


DANGER  IN  USE   OF   LEAD  IX  THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.        13 

He  stated  that  exhaust  ventilation  could  not  be  applied  to  the 
removal  of  dust  in  house  painting,  and  he  also  saw  such  difficulties 
in  regard  to  periodical  medical  examination  of  house  painters  as 
would  deprive  such  a  measure  of  its  practical  value. 

FOREIGN  REGULATIONS. 

Dr.  Legge  then  dealt  with  the  regulations  in  force  in  Germany,1 
Belgium,2  France,3  and  Austria.4 

MASTER  HOUSE  PAINTERS  AND  DECORATORS  IN  ENGLAND. 

A  number  of  employers  of  house  painters  stated  that  they  did  not 
at  all  realize  the  serious  amount  of  lead  poisoning  occurring  in  their 
trade  as  they  had  only  known  a  few  slight  cases  amongst  their  own 
workers.  They  agreed,  however,  that  the  amount  of  sickness  and 
death  revealed  by  the  registrar  general's  reports  and  other  official 
statistics  was  very  deplorable,  and  that  some  action  was  requisite. 
Each  witness's  attention  was  drawn  in  detail  to  the  provision  of 
washing  accommodation,  overalls,  and  mess  rooms,  as  well  as  medical 
examination  and  other  precautionary  measures  found  to  be  necessary 
in  industries  in  which  lead  is  used.  Each  witness  was  then  asked  if 
he  would  prefer  such  regulations  imposed  on  the  trade  or  to  have  the 
use  of  lead  in  paints  prohibited  or  restricted  to  a  very  small  per- 
centage. 

(1)  MASTER  HOUSE  PAINTERS  WHO  PREFER  REGULATIONS  TO 
PROHIBITION  OF  LEAD. 

Mr.  Laidlcr,  a  master  house  painter  of  Newcastle-on-Tyne,  one  of 
the  witnesses  who  attended  to  give  evidence  on  behalf  of  the  National 
Association  of  Master  House  Painters  and  Decorators,  stated  that  he 
employes  from  80  to  120  painters,  and  has  not  known  much  illness 
among  them.  Two-fifths  of  the  work  is  done  with  paints  containing 
bad  compounds;  about  18  to  19  tons  of  lead  are  used  annually  ami 
from  20  to  25  tons  of  the  leadless  paints.  Mr.  Laidlcr  alluded  to 
precautions  taken  to  avoid  risk  of  lead  poisoning  among  his  workers; 
arrangements  are  made  for  washing,  and  the  witness  considered  that 
hot  water  was  essential.  The  men  provide  themselves  with  clean 
overalls  every  week.  Ordinary  walls  and  ceilings  are  rubbed  down 
by  his  men  with  dry  sandpaper,  but  all  the  woodwork  is  rubbed 
down  with  pumice  stone  and  water,  thus  avoiding  dust.  Dust  arises, 
however,  in  scraping  off  old  paint  work  and  no  precautions  are  taken 
to  prevent  the  inhalation  of  this.  Mr.  Laidlcr  was  not  aware  of  the 
extent  to  which  lead  poisoning  prevailed  among  house  painters,  and 
agreed  that  it  is  very  deplorable;  he  thought  the  existing  state  of 
affairs  ought  to  be  remedied,  and  stated  emphatically  that  regula- 
tions should  be  made  to  insure  proper  precautions  being  taken,  such 
as  washing  accommodation  and  the  avoidance  of  dry  rubbing  down, 
but  he  could  not  recommend  any  method  of  controlling  the  dust 
arising  from  scraping  off  old  paint.  He  stated  that  in  his  business, 
distempers,  which  are  zinc  water  paints,  have  taken  the  place  of  most, 
of  the  stippling  and  flatting  work  in  which  the  principal  danger  of 


14  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

splashes  arises.  He  did  not  consider  that  the  trials  of  substitutes 
for  white  lead,  such  as  those  carried  out  by  H.  M.  office  of  works  in 
the  preceding  four  years,  had  been  extensive  enough  to  convince  him 
that  lead  could  be  prohibited. 

Mr.  J.  R.  Chappell,  also  representing  the  National  Association  of 
Master  House  Painters  and  Decorators,  has  been  in  business  as  a 
painter  and  decorator  in  Leeds  for  the  last  30  years.  His  firm  em- 
ploy an  average  of  about  25  painters  and  he  has  not  known  a  single 
case  of  lead  poisoning.  Since  the  Workmen's  Compensation  Act 
came  into  force,  however,  the  rate  of  insurance  has  increased  and 
this  he  attributed  partly  to  the  risk  of  lead  poisoning.  He  referred 
to  experiments  carried  out  by  the  National  Association  of  Master 
House  Painters  in  1910,  in  which  boards  were  coated  with  various 
paints  and  exposed  in  different  parts  of  the  country  to  varying  atmos- 
pheric conditions,  with  the  object  of  discovering  the  relative  value 
of  different  paint  materials;  but  he  did  not  put  in  any  evidence  as 
to  the  conclusions  reached.  He  agreed  that  the  poisoning  indicated 
by  official  statistics  was  very  deplorable,  but  had  not  himself  realized 
that  there  was  any  great  danger;  he  concurred  in  thinking  that  this 
country  should  be  abreast  of  other  nations  in  its  legislation  for  the 
worker's  welfare. 

As  regards  precautions,  he  considered  hot  water  to  be  better  than 
cold  and  stated  that  hot  water  is  nearly  always  available.  He  would 
not  object  to  allowing  time  for  washing.  He  advocated  compulsory 
wearing  of  overalls,  prohibition  of  keeping  outdoor  jackets  and  the 
like  in  working  rooms,  and  prohibition  of  eating  near  paint.  He 
admitted  that  there  was  certainly  danger  in  the  operation  of  dry  rub- 
bing down,  which  was  indispensable  at  certain  stages  of  the  painting 
process. 

He  was  not  aware  of  any  possible  way  of  removing  the  danger  of 
lead  poisoning  entirely  other  than  by  using  a  substitute  for  lead. 
In  his  experience  zinc  paints  were  all  right  for  inside  but  not  for  out- 
side work.  A  test  extending  over  four  years,  such  as  that  referred 
to  by  the  office  of  works,  he  would  not  consider  a  sufficiently  long  test; 
he  would  consider  10  years  a  more  reasonable  time. 

He  would  not  like  any  restriction  in  the  working  hours  of  painters; 
neither  would  he  welcome  periodical  medical  examination,  though 
he  would  not  be  opposed  to  compensation  for  precautionary  suspen- 
sions if  a  system  of  periodical  examinations  were  introduced.  The 
other  precautions  he  follows  out  voluntarily  at  the  present  time.  He 
would  prefer  regulations  to  the  abolition  of  lead,  but  he  admitted 
that  there  are  certain  dangers  which  would  not  be  removed  by  regu- 
lations. If  the  committee  came  to  the  conclusion  that  those  dangers 
are  so  serious  that  they  can  only  be  overcome  by  the  abolition  of  lead, 
he  would  loyally  abide  by  the  decision  of  the  committee. 

Mr.  J.  H.  McDermid  also  gave  evidence  as  representing  the  National 
Association  of  Master  House  Painters  and  Decorators,  and  stated  that 
he  carried  on  business  in  Darlington  with  an  average  of  20  or  25  paint- 
ers— in  the  season  perhaps  40.  He  confirmed  the  evidence  given  by 
other  representatives  of  the  association  and  agreed  that  the  incidence 
of  lead  poisoning  was  very  deplorable.  After  the  various  precaution- 
ary measures  considered  necessary  for  prevention  of  lead  poisoning 
had  been  explained  to  him,  Mr.  McDcrrmd  stated  that  he  would  prefer 
even  stringent  regulations  rather  than  the  abolition  of  lead;  but  he 


DANGER  IN  USE  OF  LEAD  IN  THE  PAINTING  OF  BUILDINGS. 


15 


would  not  like  to  do  away  altogether  with  sandpapering  between 
coats  and  he  could  not  suggest  any  means  of  removing  the  dust  gener- 
ated in  this  process  or  the  spray  given  off  when  ornamental  ceilings 
are  being  painted.  In  conclusion,  he  repeated  that  he  was  surprised 
at  the  extent  of  the  mortality  and  sickness  arising  from  the  use  of 
lead  by  painters,  and  considered  that  it  was  so  serious  that  it  was 
quite  proper  for  the  Government  to  take  cognizance  of  it. 

Mr.  A.  G.  White  gave  evidence  as  the  secretary  of  the  National 
Federation  of  Building  Trades  Emphrrers  of  Great  Britain  and  Ire- 
land; he  had  had  about  20  years'  experience  as  an  employer  of  house 
painters,  numbering  from  100  to  200  on  the  average.  During  that 
period  he  knew  of  only  three  cases  of  lead  poisoning  that  he  could 
recall,  but  in  addition  to  this  his  men  were  occasionally  absent  with 
slight  attacks  of  colic.  He  had  collected  some  statistics  from  various 
branches  of  the  association,  which  reported,  in  respect  of  the  experi- 
ence of  plumbism,  as  follows: 


Branch. 


Southampton. 

Lancashire 

Portsmouth... 

( hatham 

Nottingham.., 

Liverpool 

Dublin 


Average 

number 
of  painters 
employed. 


Number  of  lead 
poisoning  cases. 


60. 


(1  employer). 
About  1,000.. 


NIL 
Nil. 

Practically  nil. 

Nil. 

Nil. 

No  record. 

3  in  1907-1909. 

3  in  1009-10. 

2  in  1910-11. 


This  witness  considered  that  the  incidence  of  lead  poisoning  in  the 
house  painting  trade  is  not  serious  and  that  it  is  a  diminishing  evil. 
The  members  of  his  association  had  not  collected  any  statistics  con- 
cerning the  number  of  days'  absence  owing  to  ill-health  amongst 
painters,  nor  had  they  held  any  periodical  medical  examinations. 
These,  in  the  witness's  opinion,  could  not  be  carried  out  unless  they 
were  made  compulsory.  His  association  have  never  taken  any  col- 
lective measures  to  discover  a  substitute  for  white  lead;  although 
Mr.  White  had  heard  of  a  number  of  such  paints  he  had  not  personally 
found  anything  satisfactory.  In  the  witness's  opinion  the  lead  poison- 
ing evil  had  been  much  exaggerated;  when  it  was  pointed  out  to  him 
that  the  number  of  fatal  cases  was  increasing  and  that  the  total 
deaths  from  lead  poisoning  among  house  painters  were  more  numer- 
ous than  amongst  the  workers  in  all  factory  industries  taken  together, 
he  admitted  that  the  trade  required  proper  regulation  and  suggested 
that  the  heavy  incidence  of  plumbism  was  due  to  the  precautions 
common  in  other  lead  industries  not  being  taken  in  the  painting  trade. 
(Q.  9192. J)  After  dealing  further  with  statistics  of  lead  poisoning 
in  detail  the  witness  was  questioned  with  regard  to  precautionary 
measures,  lie  agreed  that  washing  accommodation  was  essential  and 
considered  that  the  supply  of  hot  water  was  generally  practicable 
and  could  be  made  compulsory;  he  considered  that  overalls  ought 
to  be  worn,  but  would  object  to  the  supply  thereof  by  the  employers; 
lie  would  not  oppose  the  responsibility  for  having  them  washed  Being 
laid  on  the  employers.     lie  thought  the  danger  arising  from  keeping 

1  Question  numbers  throughout  refertonumber  of  inquiry  put  to  witness,  In  Minutes  of  Evidence 


16  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF  "LABOR   STATISTICS. 

them  in  the  workroom  was  a  small  one,  but  a  place  for  storage  could 
be  found  if  required.  He  said  that  meal  rooms  are  sometimes  pro- 
vided, but  he  saw  no  real  need  for  them.  He  admitted  that  there 
would  be  difficulty  in  carrying  out  regulations  such  as  those  fore- 
shadowed, but  considered  that  the  employers  would  obey  such  regu- 
lations if  they  were  made  compulsory. 

He  considered  that  in  some  instances  at  any  rate  dry  rubbing  down 
would  be  indispensable,  and  lie  could  not  agree  offhand  to  the  pro- 
hibition of  this  process.  He  thought  it  would  be  practicable  for  the 
men  to  be  required  to  wear  a  mask,  and  believed  he  could  make  one 
'  'which  would  be  no  more  objectionable  to  wear  than  a  pair  of  motor 
goggles." 

He  could  not  suggest  any  way  of  obviating  splashes  on  the  face  in 
painting  molded  ceilings  and  the  like,  but  considered  it  would  be 
sufficient  for  the  men  to  wash  them  off  afterwards. 

With  regard  to  stippling,  he  admitted  that  there  is  a  certain  amount 
of  spray,  and  said  he  used  to  consider  that  "stippling  a  flat  wall  was 
one  of  the  things  that  gives  men  colic  sooner  than  anything  else." 

With  regard  to  dust  and  fumes  generally  Mr.  White  could  offer  no 
suggestion  other  than  the  wearing  of  a  mask,  and  said,  *  'If  the  work- 
ers will  not  wear  a  mask  there  is  no  other  way  out  of  it  but  the  pro- 
hibition of  lead."  He  had  tried  various  forms  of  zinc  oxide  paints, 
but  had  not  found  them  as  efficient  as  white  lead  either  as  regards 
covering  power  or  durability.  He  did  not  think  that  the  four  years' 
trial  of  leadless  paints  by  the  office  of  works  was  long  enough;  he 
was  of  opinion  that  no  tests  of  a  substitute  could  be  considered  gener- 
ally satisfactory  unless  tried  on  a  ship. 

Questioned  in  regard  to  further  precautionary  measures,  he  said 
he  would  not  object  to  limitation  of  workers'  hours  to  48  a  week;  he 
would  not  object  to  periodical  medical  examination,  as  he  thought 
it  might  be  a  good  thing. 

Summing  up  his  evidence  he  said  he  would  not  object  to  a  strict 
code  of  regulations,  and  was  strongly  of  opinion  that  such  a  code  was 
nceessary  wherever  lead  is  used.  With  regard  to  the  dust  arising 
from  dry  rubbing  down,  however,  he  could  not  suggest  any  precau- 
tion other  than  the  wearing  of  a  mask. 

Mr.  C.  E.  Wilkinson  attended  as  a  representative  of  the  London 
Association  of  Master  Decorators.  He  carries  on  business  as  a  decor- 
ator and  jobbing  builder  in  London.  His  firm  employs  an  average  of 
about  20  painters  and  he  has  known  of  no  cases  of  lead  poisoning  or 
painter's  colic.  Some  of  his  painters  have  been  25  years  in  his 
employment  without  illness.  He  stated  that  he  was  not  satisfied  as 
to  the  reality  of  the  danger  of  lead  poisoning,  but  thought  that  cases 
were  wrongly  certified.  He  was  not  aware  of  the  number  of  deaths 
certified  from  lead  poisoning.  He  considered  that  the  proportionate 
incidence  was  probably  very  small,  but  agreed  that  the  fact  of  there' 
being  such  a  number  of  deaths  was  itself  deplorable  and  that  some- 
thing should  be  done.  He  considered  that  regulations  were  all  that 
was  necessary.  The  provision  of  overalls  and  the  required  washing 
thereof  by  employers  he  considered  not  practicable  and  not  necessary 
as  the  workmen  themselves  do  it.  The  provision  of  a  mess  room 
would  be  sometimes  difficult;  men  frequently  take  food  in  the  rooms 
where  they  are  working  and  this  Mr.  Wilkinson  considered  not  a 
highly  dangerous  thing  under  the  circumstances.     It  would  not  be 


DAXGEE   IX   USE   OF   LEAD   IX   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDIXG3.        17 

practicable  to  provide  a  place  for  overalls  or  a  cloakroom  for  outdoor 
clothing.  As  regards  washing  accommodation  he  said  the  men 
always  find  some  means  for  washing;  good  soap  and  cold  water  is 
sufficient.  A  regulation  on  this  subject  he  considered  unnecessary 
as  the  men  carry  towels  and  soap  in  their  bag.  The  provision  of 
exhaust  draught  for  dry  rubbing  down  he  regarded  as  impossible,  but 
he  considered  that  the  question  of  dust  was  exaggerated.  Dry  rub- 
bing down  could  largely  be  dispensed  with  and  the  evolution  of  dust 
prevented  by  moistening  the  glass  paper  with  turpentine.  He  also 
considered  that  lead  dust  was  too  heavy  to  float  in  the  air.  He 
thought  medical  examination  would  be  a  good  thing  and  would  not 
mind  if  a  regulation  were  made  to  provide  compensation  for  suspended 
workers.  He  stated  that  he  would  prefer  regulations  to  prohibition 
of  the  use  of  lead,  but  considered  many  of  the  regulations  under  con- 
sideration impracticable.  He  thought  a  simple  regulation  would 
suffice.  He  did  not  agree  with  some  of  the  regulations  foreshadowed, 
and  they  could  not  all  be  enforced.  If  it  were  felt  that  unless  the 
whole  of  the  regulations  were  in  force  the  health  of  the  workpeople 
would  still  be  in  danger,  he  would  not  be  surprised  if  prohibition  were 
recommended.  Mr.  Wilkinson  was  unwilling  to  accept  either  the 
figures  supplied  by  the  painters'  trade-unions  or  the  statistics  of  the 
registrar  general,  although  he  said  he  could  himself  only  speak  for 
his  own  employees.  He  agreed  that  lead  poisoning,  if  contracted  at 
all,  is  contracted  from,  the  dust,  and  said  his  solution  was  the  proper 
training  and  education  of  the  painter  in  cleanliness.  He  was  surprised 
to  hear  that  good  workmen  and  properly  trained  painters  suffer  from 
lead  poisoning  as  it  was  contrary  to  his  own  experience. 

See  also  the  evidence  of  Messrs.  Orr,  Carfrae,  Dobie,  Guest/Bennett, 
Anderson,  and  Scott,  representing  the  Association  of  Master  House 
Painters  in  Scotland,  and' Mr.  Sibthorpe,  who  attended  at  the  request 
of  the  white-lead  corroders'  section  of  the  London  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce; the  evidence  of  these  gentlemen  is  summarized  on  pages  30 
to  34  and  104  to  106. 

(2)    MASTER  HOUSE  PAINTERS  PARTIALLY  IN  FAVOR   OF  REGULA- 
TIONS. 

Mr.  J.  D.  Grace,  a  retired  master  decorator,  and  president  of  the 
Institute  of  British  Decorators,  gave  evidence  as  a  representative 
decorator  of  very  large  experience,  stating  that  he  was  for  45  years 
i!iL';iged  in  first-class  decoration,  employing  from  100  to  300  men. 
The  amount  of  white  load  used  averaged  about  3  tons  annually  in 
the  latter  years  of  his  experience.  Ho  had  tried  zinc  oxide  a  long 
time  ago,  but  had  practically  no  recent  experience  of  leadless  paints. 
He  knew  of  one  definite  case  of  lead  poisoning  and  five  or  six  cases  of 
slight  illness  in  the  course  of  his  45  years'  experience. 

Precautions  were  taken  for  which  the  foremen  were  responsible; 
soap  and  towels  were  provided,  pails  to  wash  in,  and  hot  water  where 
possible;  overalls  were  provided  by  the  men  themselves.  Rubbing 
down  was  usually  done  with  dry  sandpaper  on  old  work,  and  this 
process  caused  dust;  but  witness  was  oi  opinion  that  the  wet  pro< 
of  rubbing  down  could  generally  be  used  throughout.  Mr.  Grace  was 
surprised  at  the  extent  of  the  lead  poisoning  evil  disclosed  by  official 
figures,  and  agreed  that  it  was  very  deplorable.     He  was  of  opinion 

u:.-35°— Bull.  188— 1&-. 2 


18  BULLETIN"   OF   THE  BUREAU   OF   LABOR  STATISTICS. 

(Q.  1999)  that  regulations  to  a  certain  extent  would  be  a  very  good 
tiling;  later,  in  reply  to  Sir  Godfrey  Baring,  lie  expressed  the  opinion 
that  prohibition  of  the  use  of  lead  would  be  disastrous,  on  the  grounds 
particularly  that  artistic  effects  could  not  be  satisfactorily  achieved 
in  interior  decoration  if  lead  is  not  used. 

Mr.  F.  Grundy  attended  as  president  of  the  National  Association  of 
Master  House  Painters  and  Decorators.  He  had  been  in  the  business 
for  49  years  and  carries  on  business  at  Loughborough.  lie  only 
employs  about  an  average  of  10  painters.  He  said  that  he  had  known 
of  a  case  of  lead  poisoning  some  10  years  ago.  He  agreed  that  the 
amount  of  sickness  and  death  represented  by  the  official  statistics 
was  very  deplorable,  but  he  did  not  admit  any  danger  arising  from 
imperfect  washing  or  from  the  taking  home  of  dusty  overalls.  He 
did  not  admit  the  presence  of  any  dust  in  painting  operations,  though 
he  considered  it  a  necessity  to  rub  down  work  with  dry  sandpaper. 
He  further  considered  it  impossible  to  breathe  spray  when  painting 
ornamental  ceilings,  and  he  did  not  recognize  the  possibility  of  splashes 
falling  on  the  worker's  face  when  stippling.  In  view  of  the  witness's 
statement  that  he  could  not  recognize  any  danger  of  dust  or  spray 
arising  in  sandpapering  and  other  hazardous  processes,  the  chairman 
declined  to  continue  Ins  examination  of  this  witness. 

In  replying  to  other  members  of  the  committee,  he  stated  that  he 
had  not  given  the  subject  of  substitutes  for  lead  much  attention; 
neither  did  he  recognize  the  necessity  for  any  particular  precautions 
other  than  the  washing  off  of  the  looser  portions  of  any  paint  that, 
might  adhere  to  the  workers'  hands. 

Mr.  J.  C  Vaughan,  of  the  National  Association  of  Master  House 
Painters  and  Decorators,  stated  that  he  has  carried  on  business  as  a 
plumber  and  decorator  at  Hereford  for  over  30  years,  employing  an 
average  of  from  30  to  35  painters.  He  has  only  known  of  one  case  of 
lead  poisoning,  which  occurred  quite  recently.  He  did  not  consider 
that  the  amount  of  lead  poisoning  shown  by  the  official  statistics  was 
very  large  when  compared  with  the  number  of  painters  employed,  but 
he  agreed  that  all  this  sickness  and  death  is  very  deplorable  and  that 
it  was  regrettable  that  this  country  should  be  behind  others  in  deal- 
ing with  the  evil.  He  realized  the  importance  of  cleanliness,  and  con- 
sidered washing  accommodation  essential  but  not  always  practicable. 
Some  of  the  men  will  not  trouble  to  get  hot  water  even  when  it  is 
pract  icable  to  do  so.  He  considered  that  towels,  soap,  and  nailbrusl  ies 
should  bo  supplied  by  the  emploj-er,  and  suggested  that  such  a  regula- 
tion might  be  enforced  by  the  local  policeman  or  the  sanitary  inspector 
or  the  inland  revenue  officer,  or  alternatively  by  the  appointment  of 
subinspectors  for  this  special  purpose.  Mr.  Vaughan  admitted  that 
there  would  be  difficulty  in  ascertaining  where  the  work  was  going  on 
and  visits  to  private  houses  might  also  be  resented.  In  any  case  the 
witness  was  of  opinion  that  members  of  the  National  Association  of 
Master  House  Paint  era  would  loyally  carry  out  regulations. 

Mr.  Vaughan  would  not  object  to  supplying  and  providing  for  the 
washing  of  overalls  if  it  were  made  compulsory;  a  storage  place  for 
these,  as  well  as  for  outdoor  clothing  put  off  during  working  hours, 
could  also  be  provided,  though  the  provision  of  a  separate  place  for 
outdoor  clothing  and  a  place  for  keeping  food  free  from  contamination 
would  not  always  be  possible.  Mr.  Vaughan  thought  dry  rubbing 
down  not  indispensable;  even  after  the  first  coat  of  paint  had  been 


DANGER  IK  USE   OF  LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.       19 

applied  rubbing  down  could  be  done  with  pumice  stone.  As  regards 
hours  worked  by  painters  Mr.  Vaughan  would  not  object  to  a  48-hours' 
limit  if  it  applied  to  all  employers;  he  would  also  agree  to  periodical 
medical  examination  at  the  employer's  expense.  Compensation  in 
cases  of  suspension  would  involve  further  insurance. 

With  regard  to  substitutes  he  said  he  had  not  found  a  successful 
nonpoisonous  paint;  if  the  office  of  works  could  dispense  with  lead 
Mr.  Vaughan  thought  other  people  should  be  able  to  do  so.  A  sys- 
tem of  regulations  would  involve  increased  charges  to  customers, 
whereas  in  the  witness's  opinion  the  use  of  a  substitute  for  lead  would 
involve  more  frequent  painting. 

Mr.  J.  J.  Honeychurch  attended  as  a  representative  of  the  London 
Association  of  Master  Decorators  and  stated  that  he  carries  on  a  build- 
ing and  painting  business  in  various  parts  of  the  country,  employing 
an  average  of  40  painters.  He  has  known  cases  of  lead  poisoning 
among  painters,  not  in  connection  with  his  own  firm.  He  did  not 
regard  lead  poisoning  as  a  real  danger  for  house  painters.  He  stated 
that  there  are  about  90  firms  in  his  association,  but  he  could  not  give 
the  number  of  painters  employed  by  them.  He  considered  that  the 
incidence  of  lead  poisoning  did  not  represent  a  very  large  percentage 
of  the  number  engaged  in  painting,  but  agreed  that  the  actual  fact  of 
this  sickness  and  death  was  lamentable  and  something  would  have  to 
be  done  to  eradicate  the  evil.  He  admitted  that  lead  poisoning  would 
disappear  under  prohibition,  while  regulations  would  only  offer  a  par- 
tial remedy.  He  thought  provision  of  overalls  by  the  emploj^er  im- 
possible; the  provision  of  mess  rooms  and  cloaltrooms  for  outdoor 
clothing  impracticable;  provision  for  the  storage  of  overalls  could, 
however,  be  made.  Washing  accommodation  he  considered  very 
necessary,  but  hot  water  is  not  always  available.  The  supply  of  clean 
towels,  nailbrushes,  and  soap  by  employers  would  not  be  a  great 
trouble.  The  use  of  exhaust  draught  to  remove  the  dust  is  impossible. 
The  establishment  of  periodical  medical  examination  would  be  pos- 
sible. He  did  not  see,  however,  how  compensation  could  be  provided 
for  suspended  workers.  In  summarizing  the  various  regulations 
under  consideration  he  said  it  would  not  be  possible  to  carry  them  all 
out.  Prohibition  of  lead  would  be  all  right  provided  there  was  a  suit- 
able substitute,  but  in  the  present  position  he  would  not  favor  pro- 
hibition. Either  regulations  such  as  foreshadowed  or  prohibition 
would  certainly  mean  much  less  business.  Trials  with  various  sub- 
stitutes are  being  made  by  individual  employers  at  the  present  time. 
Zinc  keeps  its  color  better  than  lead,  but  has  not  such  a  good  covering 
power  and  is  more  expensive. 

(3)  MASTER  HOUSE  PAINTERS  WHO  PREFER  PROHIBITION  TO 

REGULATIONS. 

The  employers  who  declared  themselves  in  favor  of  prohibition  or 
restriction  of  the  use  of  lead  rather  than  regulations  comprised  the 
following: 

WITNESSES    REPRESENTING    THE   NATIONAL    ASSOCIATION   OF   MASTER    HOUSE 
PAINTERS  AND  DECORATORS. 

Mr.  II.  A.  Campbell,  whose  experience  extends  over  35  years,  has 
his  business  in  the  west  of  London,  and  employs  an  average  of  about 
60  painters.     He  did  not  think  there  was  so  much  risk  from  dust 


20  BULLETIN   OF   THE   BUREAU   OF   LABOR   STATISTICS. 

and  spray  as  is  frequently  contended;  he  agreed  that  exhaust  ventila- 
tion was  not  practicable  and  recommended  the  damping  of  glass 
paper  with  turps;  he  admitted  it  would  not  be  possible  to  get  rid 
of  all  the  dust  generated  in  the  course  of  painting  work.  In  view 
of  the  almost  insuperable  difficulties  of  cmorcing  a  code  of  regula- 
tions, Mr.  Campbell  thought  it  would  be  better  to  prohibit  the  use 
of  lead. 

Mr.  Vigurs  Harris  has  been  an  employer  of  painters  for  the  last  40 
years  at  Plymouth:  the  average  number  of  men  employed  in  his 
business  would  be  about  50.  He  considered  that  dry  rubbing  down 
could  not  be  dispensed  with  between  successive  coats  of  paint;  ho 
also  considered  it  impracticable  to  deal  with  spray  by  exhaust 
draught.  He  had  had  a  long  experienee  with  zinc  paints  and  found 
lead  almost  a  necessity  for  certain  outside  work;  he  considered  that 
it  would  not  matter  if  all  employers  were  put  on  the  same  level  by 
the  prohibition  of  the  use  of  lead  applying  to  them  all.  He  stated 
emphatically  that  he  would  much  prefer  the  abolition  of  the  use 
of  lead  to  the  enforcement  of  strict  regulations;  he  considered  the 
data  available  to  the  trade  sufficient  to  justify  the  abolition  of  lead 
for  interior  work;  while  he  was  not  quite  clear  as  regards  prohibition 
of  lead  for  outside  painting,  he  repeated  that  he  would  rather  risk 
it  than  have  regulations. 

Mr.  W.  H.  Cantrill  has  had  23  years'  experience  as  a  master  painter 
carrying  on  business  in  Manchester  and  employing  an  average  of 
about  45  painters.  He  had  some  knowledge  of  lead  poisoning, 
having  paid  compensation  in  three  cases,  and  he  was  of  opinion 
there  should  have  been  legislation  on  the  subject  before  now.  Rub- 
bing down  was  indispensable  between  coats,  and  there  would  bo  a 
certain  amount — in  His  opinion  small — of  spray  which  could  not  bo 
obviated.  Under  these  circumstances  he  considered  that  the  only 
way  to  meet  the  danger  would  bo  by  dispensing  with  the  use  of 
lead.  He  had  used  leadless  paints  both  for  interior  and  exterior 
work,  and  found  that  the  men  handled  these  paints  in  quite  a  satis- 
factory manner  when  they  were  ignorant  of  their  composition.  The 
witness  considered  that  a  standard  of  zinc  paints  should  be  fixed,  and 
thought  it  desirable  that  time  should  be  allowed  for  establishing  a 
formula.  He  was  of  opinion  that  such  a  formula  could  bo  estab- 
lished on  a  basis  of  five  years'  use  of  zinc  paints,  but  he  adhered  to 
the  position  that  he  would  absolutely  prefer  abolution  of  lead  to 
regulations. 

Mr.  J.  Puttrell,  of  Sheffield,  stated  that  he  had  been  in  the  painting 
business  for  58  years;  of  these  he  had  been  an  employer  for  49  years. 
He  employs  an  average  of  50  painters  and  has  only  known  of  one  case 
of  lead  poisoning — an  apprentice  some  15  years  ago.  He  stated 
that  they  pay  an  increased  rate  for  insurance  against  workmen's 
compensation  since  the  inclusion  of  lead  poisoning  in  the  act  of  1906. 
His  men  are  not  periodically  medically  examined  and  therefore  some 
of  them  may  suffer  without  his  knowledge.  He  has  taken  a  promi- 
nent part  in  the  work  of  the  Master  House  Painters'  Association, 
having  been  president  in  1899;  members  were  not,  however,  able  to 
bring  up  cases  of  lead  poisoning  at  the  discussions  and,  therefore,  they 
regarded  the  painting  operation  as  being  a  healthy  one  and  had 
taken  no  steps  to  collect  statistics  of  illness.     The  association  had 


DANGER  IN  USE   OF  LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.        21 

talked  over  the  question  of  substitutes  for  white  lead,  but  did  not 
consider  they  had  found  anything  equal  to  white  lead. 

Mr.  Puttreil  laid  stress  on  the  advantage  of  educating  apprentices 
properly.  He  agreed  that  the  lead  poisoning  indicated  by  the  pub- 
lished statistics  was  very  deplorable,  and,  in  view  of  the  measures 
of  prohibition  and  regulation  abroad,  he  agreed  that  Great  Britain 
should  be  abreast  of  other  countries  as  far  as  possible.  He  believed 
in  the  importance  of  personal  cleanliness  on  the  part  of  painters, 
but  did  not  consider  hot  water  absolutely  necessary,  though  he 
held  it  was  better  than  cold  and  also  that  it  was  generally  obtainable. 
He  approved  of  the  wearing  of  overalls  and  the  prohibition  of  taking 
food  in  places  where  the  risk  of  lead  dust  arose.  He  did  not  con- 
sider that  there  was  much  dust  in  connection  with  painting  oper- 
ations, as  the  rubbing  down  is  done  with  pumice  stone  and  water; 
sandpapering  he  maintained  could  be  dispensed  with.  The  only 
remedies  he  had  to  suggest  were  the  covering  up  of  the  nostrils, 
plentiful  supply  of  fresh  air  and  periodical  sweeping  of  the  floors. 

He  suggested  that  lead  might  be  done  away  with  for  inside  ceilings, 
and  considered  that  employers  would  loyally  carry  out  such  a  pro- 
hibition even  if  no  proper  means  were  provided  for  enforcing  it. 
He  would  also  prohibit  the  use  of  white  lead  in  all  stippled  surfaces. 
He  thought  that  there  was  no  way  of  entirely  removing  the  danger 
without  prohibition  of  lead. 

Mr.  Puttreil  stated  that  he  had  used  zinc  paint  occasionally  for 
over  30  years,  but  had  not  found  it  so  satisfactory  as  lead  in  regard 
to  wearing  quality  or  covering  power;  if  a  really  efficient  substitute 
could  be  found  he  agreed  that  the  use  of  lead  should  be  prohibited. 
The  alternative  of  stringent  regulations  being  put  to  him,  he  con- 
tended that  it  was  not  necessary,  in  his  opinion,  to  make  all  these 
regulations,  but  if  the  committee  were  definitely  faced  with  the 
alternative  he  thought  it  would  be  better  for  them  to  recommend 
the  abolition  of  lead  rather  than  the  introduction  of  such  regulations. 

Mr.  A.  Wiltshier  is  a  house  painter  who  has  been  carrying  on 
business  for  22  years  at  Canterbury,  employing  on  the  average 
about  40  painters.  He  has  only  known  of  one  case  of  lead  poison- 
ing— not  a  serious  one — though  the  insurance  premiums  have  been 
raised  in  the  painting  trade  of  late  years.  He  stated  that  he  realized 
the  magnitudo  of  the  lead  poisoning  evil,  although  he  was  not 
aware  of  the  reported  figures.  He  considered  the  sickness  to  be 
deplorable  and  advocated  precautions,  such  as  ventilation  and 
cleanliness,  provision  for  wasliing  to  include  hot  water  where  possible, 
wearing  of  overalls,  provision  of  cloakroom  and  meal-room  accom- 
modation, and  the  like.  He  did  not  think  there  was  serious  danger 
from  the  breathing  of  dust  and  spray,  although  he  said  '  'from  sand- 
papering you  get  a  good  bit  of  dust."  He  advocated  the  abolition 
of  dry  rubbing  down  before  the  first  coat,  but  could  not  suggest  a 
remedy  for  dust  arising  from  sandpapering  between  coats;  this 
latter,  however,  would  not  constitute  more  than  5  per  cent  of  the  dust. 
He  had  no  suggestion  to  offer  regarding  the  spray  from  painting 
ceilings,  but  thought  the  danger  from  stippling  could  be  overcome 
by  washing  the  hands  and  face  immediately  after  the  work. 

In  reply  to  the  question  "Is  it  possible  to  remove  the  (Lingers 
entirely  in  any  other  way  than  by  using  a  substitute  for  lead  i"  he 
said:  "If  there  are  any  dangers  I  do  not  know  what  other  way. ". 


22  BULLETIN   OF   THE   BUREAU   OF   LABOR  STATISTICS. 

Ho  said  lie  had  used  zinc  oxide,  but  his  experience  with  it  had  not 
been  very  favorable.  He  did  not  think  that  the  office  of  works' 
experience  of  durability  of  paints  extending  over  four  years  was 
very  conclusive.  He  stated  that  he  would  agree  to  limitation  of 
the  hours  of  employment  and  periodical  medical  examination  by 
the  certifying  surgeon,  but  he  did  not  agree  that  the  employers 
should  pay  for  this.  He  would  agree  to  pay  compensation  to  any 
worker  who  was  suspended  by  the  doctor  on  account  of  doubtful 
health.  He  considered  that  reduced  hours  of  labor  and  other 
precautions  would  mean  that  the  client  would  have  to  pay  more 
for  painting  work;  with  regard  to  mess  rooms,  however,  there  would 
be  difficulty  in  connection  with  small  jobs.  Mr.  Wiltshier  stated 
definitely  that  he  would  prefer  the  abolition  of  lead  to  regulations 
if  an  efficient  substitute  for  lead  is  available,  and,  further,  he  stated 
he  would  agree  to  prohibition  of  lead  if  it  would  prevent  the  mortality 
amongst  painters  (Q.  6783). 

In  the  latter  part  of  his  evidence  Mr.  Wiltshier  gave  particulars 
of  the  painting  of  the  Canterbury  post  office  with  zinc  paint;  he 
stated  that  this  wore  so  badly  that  it  had  to  be  repainted  after  one 
year. 1  In  conclusion,  Mr.  Wiltshier  said  that  he  considered  four 
years  was  a  good  trial  to  give  to  any  paint,  but  unfortunately  some 
customers  make  it  go  to  nvo  years. 

Mr.  J.  W.  Barker,  general  house  painter  and  decorator,  of  Leicester, 
also  attended  as  a  representative  of  the  National  Association  of 
Master  House  Painters  and  Decorators.  He  stated  that  he  had 
been  in  the  painting  business  all  his  life  and  employed  an  average 
of  30  hands — moije  than  this  in  summer.  He  gave  details  of  three 
cases  of  lead  poisoning  which  had  occurred  amongst  his  workers  in 
the  last  two  years,  but  stated  that  he  had  known  of  no  other  cases 
during  his  40  years'  experience ;  he  thought  this  pointed  to  so  slight 
a  risk  that  employers  might  well  not  have  realized  the  extent  of  the 
danger;  he  was  surprised  at  the  official  figures  as  published  by  the 
Board  of  Trade  in  the  Labor  Gazette,  and  agreed  that  tins  amount 
of  lead  poisoning  was  very  deplorable.  He  also  recognized  that 
it  was  regrettable  that  this  country  should  be  behind  other  nations 
in  regard  to  legislating  for  the  welfare  of  house  painters.  He 
advocated  washing  accommodation  where  lead  paints  are  used, 
and  considered  hot  water  much  better  than  cold,  but  not  always 
ible  to  obtain;  he  advocated  the  use  of  overalls,  but  considered 
that  it  was  not  always  possible  to  provide  a  meal  room.  The  sand- 
papering of  coats  of  paint  he  regarded  as  indispensable  in  some 
cases,  but  he  could  not  suggest  any  possible  way  of  applying  exhaust 
either  to  remove  that  dust  or  the  spray  which  arises  in  certain 
painting,  operations,  but  he  thought  the  latter  danger  could  be 
minimized  by  the  use  of  respirators. 

The  witness  could  not  suggest  any  way  of  entirely  removing  the 
danger  except  by  prohibition  of  the  use  of  lead;  he  had  not  himself 
found  a  satisfactory  substitute  and  was  surprised  to  hear  of  the  suc- 
of  the  office  of  works'  experiments;  with  regard  to  these  he  did 
not  consider  four  years  a  sufficient  test — he  would  like  at  least  eight 
years  outside.  He  would  object  to  the  limitation  of  working  hours 
to  48  per  week  owing  to  the  seasonal  nature  of  the  painter's  occupa- 

1  See,  however,  Mr.  Patterson's  evidence,  page  6G. 


DAXGER  IX  USE   OF   LEAD  IX   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.       23 

tion,  but  ho  would  not  object  to  periodical  medical  examination  at  the 
expense  of  the  employer. 

Mr.  Barker  realized  that  inspection  would  be  difficult  in  the  paint- 
ing trade,  and  that  it  would  be  almost  impossible  to  carry  out  regula- 
tions such  as  suggested.  He  would  prefer  that  the  use  of  lead  should 
be  prohibited  and  the  painters  should  make  the  best  of  the  substitutes 
at  their  disposal,  rather  than  that  the  trade  should  be  subjected  to 
regulations. 

In  further  examination  by  Mr.  Sutherland,  Mr.  Barker  stated  that 
he  did  not  know  of  any  substitute  which  was  as  good  as  white  lead, 
which  he  had  found  in  particular  the  best  for  priming  purposes.  In 
view  of  the  statistics  of  lead  poisoning  he  considered  it  absolutely 
necessary  that  some  restriction  should  be  introduced,  and  said  that  if 
the  committee  decide  in  favor  of  precautions  they  would  doubtless  be 
irksome,  but  they  would  try  to  carry  them  out ;  if  the  regulations  were 
to  be  numerous  Mr.  Barker  repeated  that  he  would  prefer  the  aboli- 
tion of  the  use  of  lead  (Q.  7099).  He  considered  that  the  cost  of  pre- 
cautionary restrictions  would  be  far  greater  than  the  cost  involved  in 
a  change  to  nonlead  paints.  In  conclusion  Mr.  Barker  said,  replying 
to  a  question  by  Mr.  Sutherland,  that  if  the  use  of  white  lead  is  pro- 
hibited the  National  Association  of  Master  House  Painters  and  Deco- 
rators would  not  take  exception  to  it. 

Mr.  T.  McHugh  said  he  attended  as  a  representative  of  the  National 
Association  of  Master  House  Painters  and  Decorators,  he  being  a  mem- 
ber of  the  council  of  that  association. 

He  has  long  been  of  opinion  that  lead  poisoning  is  a  real  danger 
amongst  house  painters,  and  should  be  removed.  Kather  than  issue 
a  code  of  regulations  similar  to  that  introduced  in  other  lead  indus- 
.  Mr.  McHugh  would  advocate  the  total  prohibition  of  white  lead, 
or  failing  that,  a  restriction  to  not  more  than  5  per  cent  of  soluble 
lead  compounds  in  paints. 

The  witness  said  it  is  generally  admitted  amongst  the  trade  that 
lead  is  not  absolutely  necessary  for  interiors,  but  for  outside  work 
there  is  a  feeling  that  there  is  nothing  better  than  white  lead  as  a 
body.  He  has  himself  used  zinc  white  well  mixed  with  varnish  for 
exterior  work,  and  stated  "If  there  is  good  pure  zinc  oxide  with 
plenty  of  varnish,  in  my  opinion  it  is  quite  as  good  as  white  lead 
paint."  (Q.  20688.)  The  cost  of  such  a  paint  is  not  much  different 
from  that  of  a  similar  lead  paint;  taking  the  present  price  of  lead  into 
consideration,  zinc  is  cheaper,  but  if  white  lead  was  totally  prohibited 
the  price  of  zinc  would  go  up.  He  did  not  consider,  however,  that 
there  would  be  any  very  great  upheaval  in  the  house  painting  trade 
if  such  a  prohibition  were  introduced  with  a  reasonable  time  allowance. 

Mr.  McHugh  was  at  that  time  president  of  the  Liverpool  Master 
Builders'  Association,  who,  at  a  representative  meeting  of  400  builders 
comprising  the  painting  trade  of  the  city  of  Liverpool,  resolved  unani- 
mously that  tlicy  would  rather  have  total  prohibition  of  white  lead 
than  any  regulations  or  restrictions.  Regulations  which  can  be  ob- 
served in  a  factory  would  be  absolutely  impossible  to  carry  out  on 
house  painting  jobs,  and  the  witness  regarded  it  as  imperative  thai 
the  evil  of  lead  poisoning  should  be  dealt  with.  lie  regards  the 
record  of  deaths  appearing  monthly  in  the  Board  of  Trade  Labor 
Gazette  as  simply  appalling. 


24  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

Zinc  oxide  is  being  increasingly  used  in  Liverpool,  and  Mr.  McHugh 
finds  that  competent  painters  can  apply  it  equally  as  well  as  lead. 

WITNESSE3     REPRESENTING     THE     NATIONAL     FEDERATION     OF     BUILDING     TRADES 

EMPLOYERS. 

Mr.  J.  S.  Holiiday,  chairman  and  managing  director  of  Messrs.  Hol- 
liday  &  Greenwood  (Ltd.),  stated  that  he  carried  on  business  at 
Brixton;  he  had  been  concerned  with  house  painting  for  about  36 
years  and  employs  an  average  of  about  60  painters.  He  has  not 
known  of  any  cases  of  lead  poisoning. 

Mr.  Holiiday  is  president  of  the  institute  of  builders ;  he  had  not 
previously  realized  the  extent  of  the  lead  poisoning  evil;  he  was  aston- 
ished at  the  official  figures,  which  he  regarded  as  very  deplorable. 
He  considered  it  regrettable  that  this  country  should  be  behind  other 
nations  in  legislating  for  the  welfare  of  house  painters. 

With  regard  to  precautionary  measures  he  considered  washing 
accommodation  essential,  but  hot  water  is  not  generally  obtainable. 
Overalls  are  worn  by  the  painters  but  not  supplied  by  the  firm;  he 
would  have  no  objection  to  providing  overalls  and  paying  for  the 
washing  of  them,  if  that  were  made  a  general  rule.  He  would  con- 
sider it  impossible  to  provide  in  all  cases  a  place  for  the  painters  to 
hang  up  their  outdoor  clothing.  He  was  strongly  in  favor  of  provi- 
sions which  would  obviate  the  taking  of  meals  in  any  place  where  there 
is  risk  of  lead  poisoning.  With  regard  to  sandpapering  he  said  the 
trade  had  always  been  led  to  understand  that  it  was  indispensable. 
He  could  suggest  no  way  of  dealing  with  the  dust  arising  in  this  pro- 
cess except  by  the  wearing  of  a  respirator.  As  regards  splashes  and 
spray  which  arise  in  the  painting  of  ceilings  and  the  like,  he  suggested 
the  use  of  Duresco  or  some  other  nonpoisonous  paint.  He  had  used 
zinc  white  a  good  deal,  but  found  it  not  quite  so  dense  or  possessed  of 
such  great  preservative  powers  as  white  lead;  he  would  not  go  so  far 
as  to  say  that  the  experience  of  the  office  of  works  alone  would  justify 
the  prohibition  of  lead  paints,  although  he  agreed  that,  if  their  effi- 
ciency could  be  conclusively  proved,  the  use  of  lead  should  be  pro- 
hibited. If  the  use  of  lead  is  to  be  continued,  he  could  not  agree  to 
the  limitation  of  the  painters'  hours  to  48  per  week.  Ho  would  not 
like  to  agree  to  medical  examination  at  the  employer's  expense  with- 
out consulting  his  partners.  Finally,  when  the  various  regulations 
found  necessary  for  the  prevention  of  lead  poisoning  in  other  indus- 
tries had  been  put  to  him,  Mr.  Holiiday  concluded  that  he  could  not 
agree  to  them  and  would  prefer  to  do  without  lead  entirely. 

Mr.  F.  Higgs  also  gave  evidence  as  representing  the  National  Fed- 
eration of  Building  Trades  Employers  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland. 
He  is  a  builder  and  contractor  and  has  carried  on  business  since  1880; 
partly  a  contract  business  in  London,  employing  an  average  of  35 
painters,  and  partly  a  jobbing  business  in  Surrey,  employing  12  paint- 
ers. He  has  had  no  experience  of  lead  poisoning,  and  thought  that 
employers  of  house  painters  are  only  now  beginning  to  realize  the 
seriousness  of  the  incidence  of  lead  poisoning,  which  he  considered 
deplorable.  In  legislation  intended  to  combat  such  evils  Mr.  Higgs 
considered  that  Great  Britain  should  act  as  a  pioneer.  He  considered 
personal  cleanliness  as  essential  for  lead  workers,  and  said  that  hot 
water  was  certainly  desirable,  but  it  was  not  always  practicable  to 


DANGER  IN  USE   OF  LEAD  IN  THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.       25 

provide  it.  Tlic  process  of  dry  nibbing  down  with  sandpaper  he 
regarded  as  indispensable,  and  could  not  suggest  any  precautionary 
measure  to  deal  with  this  other  than  the  wearing  of  a  respirator.  The 
various  other  precautionary  measures  necessary  where  lead  com- 
pounds are  handled  were  put  to  the  witness,  and  he  stated  emphatically 
that  he  would  rather  see  white  lead  abolished  thanhave  a  number  of 
vexatious  regulations  applied  to  the  painting  industry,  although  he 
considered  white  lead  a  better  paint  for  pigmentary  purposes,  cover- 
ing power,  and  the  like,  than  any  of  the  substitutes  which  he  had  tried. 
He  had  made  no  special  investigations,  but  had  used  a  number  of 
leadless  paints  from  time  to  time. 

Mr.  F.  L.  Walker,  who  has  charge  of  the  decorating  department  of 
Messrs.  James  Shoolbred  &  Co.,  Tottenham  Court  Road,  gave  evi- 
dence as  a  representative  of  the  London  Master  Builders'  Association. 
His  firm  employ  an  average  of  about  40  painters,  taking  the  year 
through,  and  he  has  had  about  25  years'  experience  in  house  painting 
work.  He  has  only  known  one  case  of  lead  poisoning,  and  had  not 
realized  the  extent  of  this  evil  among  house  painters.  He  agreed 
that  the  official  figures  of  sickness  and  death  from  plumbism  were 
uneriicstionably  deplorable. 

In  his  opinion  sandpapering  on  new  work  was  indispensable,  and 
on  other  points  also  his  evidence  was  entirely  in  agreement  with  that 
of  Mr.  Higgs.  He  also  agreed  with  the  conclusion  of  that  witness  that 
prohibition  of  the  use  of  lead  would  be  preferable  to  regulations  on 
account  of  the  impossibility,  in  his  opinion,  of  securing  compliance 
with  an  elaborate  code  of  regulations  such  as  has  been  found  necessary 
to  combat  the  evil  of  lead  poisoning  in  other  industries. 

Mr.  T.  Hall  gave  evidence  as  a  representative  of  the  London  Master 
Builders'  Association.  He  has  been  connected  with  house  painting 
for  45  years,  the  last  30  as  a  master  at  the  Bitfield  Wharf,  Waterloo 
Bridge;  he  emploj-s  an  average  of  about  50  painters,  taking  the  whole 
year  round,  and  has  only  known  of  one  serious  case  of  lead  poisoning. 
He  thought  most  employers  were  aware  of  the  extent  of  the  lead 
poisoning  evil,  which  he  agreed  was  very  deplorable.  He  quoted 
the  measure  of  prohibition  of  white  lead  adopted  in  France,  and 
stated  emphatically  that  he  agreed  with  entire  prohibition  of  lead 
in  this  country  also.  He  stated  he  knew  that  the  office  of  works  were 
u  w  g  a  leadless  substitute  extensively,  and  said,  "I  have  heard  noth- 
ing against  it;  I  have  heard  everything  for  it"  (Q.  9558).  In  answer 
to  a  summing  up  question  as  to  whether  he  would  prefer  abolition 
of  lead  for  house  painting  to  a  complicated  code  of  regulations  ho 
said,  "I  certainly  would;  I  am  most  decided  about  that." 

Mr.  G.  H.  Morton  has  been  connected  with  the  business  of  decor- 
ating and  painting  at  Liverpool  for  over  40  years;  the  average  num- 
ber of  painters  employed  by  his  firm  is  between  60  and  80;  he  has 
only  known  of  one  caso  oi  lead  poisoning.  The  federation  have 
given  some  attention  to  lead  poisoning,  but  have  not  made  collective 
endeavors  to  securo  a  substitute  for  lead.  Ho  was  not  aware  of  tho 
extent  of  tho  poisoning  among  painters,  and  considered  that  the  offi- 
cial figures  indicated  an  alarming  state  of  affairs.  Where  lead  is 
used  he  considered  cleanliness  important;  washing  accommodation, 
including  soap,  hot  water,  and  nailbrushes,  should  be  provided,  but 
tho  supply  of  hot  water  in  some  cases  is  difficult.  In  witness's 
opinion  it  would  be  nearly  impossible  to  secure  enforcement  of  regu- 


26  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOB    STATISTICS. 

lations.  He  would  object  to  supply  his  men  with  overalls  and  pre- 
ferred to  give  increased  wages  rather  than  do  so.  To  provide  a 
storage  place  for  outdoor  clothing  is  sometimes  difficult,  but  a  rule 
should  be  made  to  provide  for  this.  Separate  mess-room  accommo- 
dation is  not  always  practicable.  In  Mr.  Morton's  opinion  dry 
rubbing  down  is  not  indispensable  and  could  be  prohibited  at  any 
rate  for  new  work.  Where  a  certain  amount  of  dust  is  inevitable 
the  only  precaution  the  witness  could  suggest  is  the  wearing  of  a 
sespirator.  Ho  could  not  suggest  a  means  of  protection  against 
rplashes  hi  the  case  of  ceilings  when  stippling.  He  could  not  suggest 
any  way  of  removing  the  dangers  entirely  except  by  substituting 
some  other  material  for  white  lead.  So  far  his  experience  of  substi- 
tutes has  not  been  satisfactory  either  from  the  point  of  view  of  cost 
or  durability,  but  he  is  continuing  experiments.  He  would  object  to 
a  system  of  medical  examinations  and  would  rather  pa}'  more  wages 
to  ilie  men. 

Summing  up  his  evidence  Mr.  Morton  said  he  would  most  emphati- 
cally object  to  setting  up  the  necessary  machinery  to  secure  complete 
observance  of  a  code  of  regulations  providing  for  the  supply  of  over- 
alls, mess  rooms,  washing  accommodation,  avoidance  of  dust,  limi- 
tation of  hours,  and  the  like.  He  would  most  decidedly  prefer  that 
the  use  of  lead  should  bo  prohibited.  The  witness  thought  the  pro- 
hibition of  the  use  of  lead  might  involve  repainting  twice  as  often  as 
is  now  done.  He  recognized  on  the  other  hand  that  the  cost  of  car- 
rying out  regulations  would  be  considerable.  The  additional  cost 
in  either  case  would  be  borne  by  the  customers.  In  further  exami- 
nation the  witness  stated  that  he  had  recently  used  one  zinc  white 
paint  for  external  work  which  covered  rather  better  than  white  lead 
and  appeared  to  be  quite  as  satisfactory. 

Mr.  F.  Griffiths. — The  principal  regulations  were  put  to  this  witness 
as  to  others,  and  he  said  he  would  prefer  total  abolition  of  white  lead 
if  the  restrictions  are  at  all  arduous.  The  regulations  enumerated 
by  the  chairman  could  be  carried  out  in  the  witness's  opinion,  but  it 
would  be  almost  impossible  to  secure  enforcement.  He  thought  that 
regulations  would  minimize  lead  poisoning  and  would  not  entail  any 
considerable,  hardship,  but  it  would  be  difficult  to  guard  the  workers 
from  breathing  dust  generated  in  certain  processes  and  from  splashes, 
and  the  witness  reiterated  that  he  would  definitely  prefer  prohibition 
to  a  code  of  regulations  such  as  those  foreshadowed. 

Mr.  W.  F.  Vv'allis  attended  as  a  representative  of  the  National  Fed- 
eration of  Building  Trades  Employers,  and  said  he  carried  on  business 
as  a  builder  and  contractor  at  Maidstone.  They  sometimes  employ 
as  many  as  60  or  70  painters,  but  the  average  would  not  be  much 
more  than  25. 

In  his  23  years'  experience  he  finds  on  inquiry  that  there  have  been 
four  cases  of  lead  poisoning  among  his  workmen;  he  could  not  say  if 
there  have  been  slight  cases  in  addition.  So  far  as  his  observation 
went,  he  was  Dot  sal  isfied  that  lead  poisoning  was  of  great  importance, 
and  thought  that  25  to  30  deaths  per  annum,  taking  into  considera- 
tion the  large  numbers  employed,  did  not  represent  an  alarming  pro- 
portion. Nevertheless,  he  agreed  that  the  recorded  sickness  and 
death  from  lead  poisoning  among  painters  is  deplorable,  and  that  it 


DANGER  IX  USE   OF   LEAD  IN   THE  PAIXTIXG   OF  BUILDINGS.       27 

can  only  bo  dealt  with  either  by  restriction  of  the  use  of  lead  or  by 
regulations. 

He  considered  that  the  prohibition  of  white  lead  was  the  only  alter- 
native which  was  likely  to  be  efficacious.  Regulations  might  be 
practicable  if  they  are  reasonable.  Overalls  could  be  provided  and 
washed  at  the  expense  of  the  employers,  who  would  allow  for  the 
additional  expense  in  their  estimates.  A  mess  room  could  generally 
be  provided,  but  a  regulation  regarding  it  would  be  broken  some- 
times. It  would  be  very  difficult  to  provide  a  special  storage  place 
for  overalls,  or  a  cloakroom  for  outdoor  clothing.  He  thought  it  not 
impossible  to  provide  washing  accommodation  and  even  to  include 
hot  water  always.  The  employers  would  willingly  allow  time  to  the 
workers  to  wash  their  hands;  it  is  the  custom  at  present  to  allow 
three  or  four  minutes  before  knocking-off  time.  Nailbrushes,  soap, 
and  towels  could  bo  provided  and  distributed  by  the  foreman.  It 
would  be  difficult,  however,  to  enforce  regulations.  The  use  of  ex- 
haust draft  to  remove  dust  which  the  men  might  breathe  he  consid- 
ered quite  impossible.  Periodical  medical  examination  would  be 
onerous,  and  he  would  not  willingly  agree  to  compensate  suspended 
workers;  if  it  were  law,  employers  would  have  to  conform. 

Considering  the  case  in  all  its  aspects,  the  witness  declared  himself 
decidedly  in  favor  of  prohibition  of  the  use  ol  white  lead  rather  than 
regulations. 

Mr.  W.  J.  Styles,  representing  the  London  Master  Builders'  Asso- 
ciation, has  been  connected  with  the  building  and  decorating  business 
for  nearly  40  years;  his  firm  employ  an  average  of  about  100  painters. 
He  agreed  that  the  amount  of  sickness  and  death  indicated  by  the 
official  figures  was  very  deplorable,  and  that  it  was  regrettable  that 
this  country  should  be  behind  other  nations  in  dealing  with  the  evil. 
The  various  precautions  adopted  in  other  lead  industries  were  put  to 
the  witness,  but  he  considered  it  would  not  always  be  possible  to 
carry  out  the  requirements  as  to  washing  accommodation,  storage  of 
overalls,  place  for  outdoor  clothing,  and  provision  of  mess  room.  The 
supply  ol  overalls  by  the  employer  would  involve  a  serious  expense 
and  the  employers  could  hardly  afford  to  pay  for  medical  examina- 
tion of  the  workers.  Personally,  Mr.  Styles  was  not  concerned 
whether  lead  be  prohibited  or  regulations  for  its  use  enforced.  If 
the  former,  something  else  would  have  to  be  used  and  it  would  not 
interfere  with  his  business  at  all.  For  the  trade  generally  he  thought 
prohibition  would  be  better  than  an  attempt  to  enforce  regulations. 
Mr.  Styles  has  only  had  slight  experience  with  leadless  paints,  and 
saiti  the  men  do  not  like  them  so  well,  but  the  work  turned  out  very 
good,  both  on  external  and  on  internal  surfaces.  In  answer  to  Mr. 
Sutherland  the  witness  said  that  he  thought  regulations  should  be 
tried  before  lead  is  abolished,  but  in  reply  to  further  questions  by  the 
chairman  he  adhered  to  the  view  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  carry 
out  regulations. 

h\  conclusion  Mr.  Styles  said  that  if  the  use  of  lead  was  prohibited 
for  everybody  aliko  ho  would  fall  into  line;  he  would  have  to  find 
some  leadless  paint.  Ho  would  certainly  raise  no  objection  to  such 
a  law  if  it  came  into  force.  Finally,  he  reiterated  that  he  would 
choose  prohibition  rather  than  the  regulations  foreshadowed. 


28  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUEEAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

WITNESSES  REPRESENTING   THE  LONDON   ASSOCIATION   OF   MASTER   DECORATORS. 

Mr.  John  Anderson  attended  us  a  representative  of  the  London 
Association  of  Master  Decorators,  of  which  body  he  is  president.  He 
carries  on  a  builder's  and  decorator's  business  at  South  Kensington, 
employing  an  average  of  110  painters.  He  has  known  some  cases  of 
lead  poisoning,  mostly  slight  and  rare.  He  has  had  three  or  four 
claims  for  compensation  for  lead  poisoning  in  the  last  10  years.  So 
far  as  his  experience  goes,  lead  poisoning  is  not  a  serious  evil,  but  his 
association  nave  not  gone  closely  into  questions  of  health.  He  ad- 
mitted that  the  figures  for  lead  poisoning  published  in  the  Board  of 
Trade  Labor  Gazette  seem  rather  large  and  something  should  be  done 
to  remove  the  evil.  He  considered  that  the  prohibition  of  lead  would 
be  difficult  and  that  the  general  public  would  suffer,  but  ho  agreed 
that  the  men's  health  should  have  prior  consideration,  and  if  prohibi- 
tion is  found  to  be  the  only  alternative  the  committee  ought  to  advo- 
cate it. 

On  the  subject  of  possible  regulations  Mr.  Anderson  thought  it 
would  be  difficult  for  the  employer  to  provide  overalls  and  see  to  their 
washing;  provision  of  a  mess  room  would  be  difficult  in  many  cases, 
especially  in  the  country;  provision  of  a  storeroom  for  overalls  and 
a  cloakroom  for  outdoor  clothing  also  would  be  difficult  and  in  some 
cases  impossible.  Washing  accommodation  is  generally  supplied  and 
should  always  be  provided;  good  painters  seldom  get  their  hands 
covered  with  paint,  and  the  witness  thought  the  paint  could  be  got 
off  quite  well  with  cold  water.  Nailbrushes,  towels,  and  soap  could 
also  be  provided,  but  would  involve  some  difficulties. 

With  regard  to  dust  arising  in  connection  with  painting  operations 
the  witness  thought  it  would  not  be  impossible  to  apply  exhaust 
draught  by  means  of  an  electric  fan,  but  he  contended  that  very  little 
dust  is  generated.  Electricity  is  laid  on  in  practically  all  places  where' 
his  men  work,  and  he  therefore  considered  his  suggestion  quite  pos- 
sible to  carry  out,  although  it  would  be  undoubtedly  a  very  expensive 
matter.  He  had  no  other  suggestions  to  offer  for  removing  the  dust. 
Burning  off  he  considered  was  not  essential.  Periodical  medical 
examination  could  be  provided  for  and  the  burden  of  this  would  fall 
in  the  end  on  the  customer.  Compensation  for  suspension  in  cases 
of  doubtful  health  would  involve  great  difficulty. 
•  Taking  all  these  points  into  consideration,  Mr.  Anderson  said  at 
first  that  he  would  prefer  regulations  to  prohibition,  in  the  interests 
of  his  elients,  notwithstanding  the  cost  of  carrying  out  the  regula- 
tions, but  the  difficulty  of  enforcing  the  regulations  pointed  to  the 
advantage  of  prohibiting  lead,  because  if  the  use  of  lead  were  abolished 
every  employer  would  be  treated  the  same  without  any  looking  after. 
Mr.  Anderson  said  seriously  that  he  feared  "that  a  great  many  might 
say  they  would  prefer  regulations,  but  then  they  would  dodge  them 
alt  the  time,  and  the  man  who  tried  to  abide  by  them  would  be  handi- 
capped by  the  man  who  was  not  doing  it."     (Q.  19616.) 

Mr.  J.  Mil  I  on  also  attended  as  a  representative  of  the  London  Asso- 
ciation of  Master  Decorators.  He  is  a  house  decorator  of  Maida  Vale 
and  employs  from  about  a  dozen  painters  up  to  as  many  as  30  in  the 
busy  si  .:  "ii.  Ho  has  known  about  two  or  three  cases  of  lead  poison- 
ing, but  not  amongst  his  own  men.  He  considered  lead  poisoning  a 
remediable  danger  and  one  which  exists  only  to  a  small  extent,  but 


DANGER  IN  USE   OF  LEAD  IX  THE  PAINTIXG  OF  BUILDINGS.       29 

admitted  that  the  number  of  deaths  from  lead  poisoning  seemed  large. 
He  agreed  that  white  lead  could  be  prohibited  for  inside  work,  but 
said  he  knew  of  no  substitute  for  outside  painting.  He  did  not  con- 
sider a  code  of  regulations  suitable  at  all  in  the  painting  trade.  He 
would  not  like  white  lead  to  be  abolished  for  outside  work,  but  if  the 
whole  trade  were  in  the  same  position  only  the  public  would  suffer. 
He  considered  that  use  of  lead  could  be  abandoned  for  outside  paint; 
Lag  if  a  better  medium  than  the  present  oil  and  turpentine  were  found. 
He  has  recently  used  leadless  white  paint  with  white  boiled  oil  and  a 
good  lot  of  varnish,  and  found  that  he  gets  a  more  durable  paint  than 
with  white  lead.  He  tried  this  for  exterior  painting  at  his  own  place 
two  years  ago  and  so  far  has  not  been  disappointed  with  the  results. 
He  considers  this  zinc  paint  satisfactory  and  even  better  than  white 
lead  for  covering  power;  pure  zinc  oxide,  however,  has  not  so  much 
covering  power.  All  zinc  paints  want  different  treatment  from  lead, 
but  he  would  undertake  a  contract  job  with  leadless  paints  at  the 
same  price  as  for  white  lead.  He  considers  that  there  Is  a  prejudice 
in  the  painting  trade  against  anything  new.  Mr.  Milton  was  further 
questioned  regarding  regulations  for  overalls,  washing  accommodation, 
medical  examination  and  the  like,  but  considered  that  regulations 
would  be  very  onerous  to  house  painters,  and  that  he  would  rather 
have  the  prohibition  of  white  lead.  The  addition  of  varnish  to  the 
medium  used  for  exterior  painting  would  not  be  altogether  an  inno- 
vation, and  it  is  quite  customary  to  put  varnish  in  even  when  lead 
paints  are  used  for  outside  work  if  a  good  finish  is  required. 

WORKING  MASTER  DECORATOR. 

Mr.  Frederick  Bonner. — This  witness  carries  on  business  at  Luton 
as  a  working  master  house  decorator.  His  experience  extends  over 
29  years,  and  during  the  last  9  of  these  he  nas  been  himself  an 
employer  of  about  seven  painters.  He  has  known  personally  of  two 
-  of  lead  poisoning.  He  considered  that  the  use  of  dry  sand- 
paper for  rubbing  down  might  be  replaced  by  pumice  stone  and  water 
in  nine  cases  out  of  ten,  but  the  dust  from  sandpapering  could  not 
be  entirely  obviated. 

He  attached  importance  to  personal  cleanliness,  and  considered  it 
important  that  hot  water  should  be  available  for  painters;  this  it  isoften 
impossible  to  obtain.  He  considered  that  periodical  medical  examina- 
tion of  painters  by  a  certifying  surgeon  would  be  a  good  thing  for  the 
painters  and  would  be  practicable;  this  and  other  precautions  he 
tin  night  would  mitigate  the  risk  of  lead  poisoning,  but  it  would  be  very 
difficult  to  obviate  orremove  the  dust  entirely.  He  considered  that  the 
use  of  nonpoisonous  paints  was  the  best  solution  of  the  difficulty  and 
added:  "I  have  been  using  a  substitute  for  five  years  and  I  seldom 
use  white  lead  now  unless  it  is  specified."  (Q.  436S.)  He  explained, 
however,  that  the  substitute  contained  25  per  cent  of  white  lead  which 
was  added  to  75  per  cent  of  zinc  white  to  give  the  desired  body.  The 
witness  stated  that  he  had  no  objection  whatever  to  the  prohibition 
of  white  lead  and  said:  "If  it  were  abolished  altogether,  I  think  ways 
and  means  could  be  found  of  getting  a  pood  white  pigment  without 
the  use  of  white  lead."  He  had  found  no  difficulty  in  using  zinc 
paints;  they  required  a  little  skill  because  they  rub  out  thin,  but 
this  can  be  corrected  by  mixing  the  paint  a  little  thicker  to  start  with. 
His  experience  of  the  zinc  oxide  paint  that  he  had  been  using  fur  the 


30  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR    STATISTICS. 

last  five  years  was  that  it  stood  better  than  white  lead;  it  also  sets 
very  hard  so  that  there  is  less  dust  when  it  is  rubbed  down  between 
coals.  He  stated  that  he  had  used  the  substitute  for  outside  work 
ever  since  he  started  in  business  and  was  more  than  satisfied  with  the 
results,  as  were  also  his  customers.  He  said:  ''It  keeps  a  better 
color;  the  atmosphere  does  not  act  on  it  and  discolor  it.  I  have  got 
some  fronts  done  live  years  ago  which  are  better  than  white  lead  fronts 
done  two  years  ago." 

WITNESSES  REPRESENTING  THE  ASSOCIATION  OF  MASTER 
HOUSE  PAINTERS  IN  SCOTLAND. 

Eight  witnesses  attended;  all  of  them  in  their  oral  examination 
favored  regulations  rather  than  prohibition;  one  representative, 
however,  subsequently  added  a  footnote  whereby  he  dissociated  him- 
self entirely  from  that  attitude. 

Mr.  J.  M.  Orr  was  the  first  of  these  witnesses.  He  stated  that  his 
firm  are  house  painters  and  decorators  in  Glasgow,  with  an  average  of 
110  painters  in  their  employment.  He  has  himself  been  a  partner  in 
the  firm  for  18  years  and  his  father  for  52  years.  He  only  knows  of 
two  cases  of  lead  poisoning  amongst  their  men  in  that  time.  Mr.  Orr 
admitted  that  the  statistics  of  lead  poisoning  showed  an  alarming 
state  of  things,  but  pointed  out  that  Scotland  is  apparently  largely 
immune  from  lead  poisoning  as  compared  with  England;  with  re- 
gard to  the  latter  country  also  the  witness  suggested  that  lead  poison- 
ing arose  mainly  amongst  painters'  laborers,  who  are  not  trained 
painters  and  do  not  observe  the  same  precautions. 

Although  Mr.  Orr  was  in  favor  of  regulations  to  minimize  the  pos- 
sibility oi  danger  rather  than  the  restriction  of  the  use  of  lead,  he 
said  he  would  agree  with  the  prohibition  of  lead  if  it  should  be  found 
impossible  to  apply  precautionary  measures. 

Questioned  with  regard  to  various  measures  which  might  be  taken 
for  minimizing  the  risk  from  lead  poisoning,  the  witness  agreed  to  the 
necessity  for  wearing  overalls,  but  was  averse  to  the  provision  thereof 
by  the  employers.  While  not  agreeing  to  the  provision  of  a  meal 
room  for  the  men,  he  thought  a  rule  might  be  made  that  workmen 
should  not  take  meals  in  any  room  in  which  they  are  working.  Pro- 
vision for  keeping  outdoor  clothing  away  from  any  source  of  lead 
dust  he  agreed  was  not  very  practicable. 

With  regard  to  washing  accommodation,  which  he  consdered  very 
important,  he  could  not  sec  how  a  strict  regulation  could  be  carried 
out,  but  he  thought  ample  facilities  could  be  provided;  washing 
accommodation  of  the  kind  usually  prescribed  in  regulations  for  the 
avoidance  of  lead  poisoning  could  be  provided  in  many  cases  but  not 
in  all.  The  application  of  exhaust  draught  apparatus  to  remove 
dust  or  fumes  would  be  quite  impossible;  periodical  medical  exami- 
nation he  would  not  object  to,  though  he  thought  there  would  be 
great  practical  difficulties.  Compensation  for  suspension  also  Mr.  Orr 
might  agree  to,  though  he  regarded  it  as  liable  to  abuse.  With  regard 
to  rubbing  down,  Mr.  Orr  said  there  was  very  little  dust  from  sand- 
papering between  coats ;  he  would  not  agree,  as  a  master  house  painter, 
to  the  prohibition  of  any  sort  of  sandpapering,  and  he  expressed  the 
opinion  that  the* "whole  Scotch  experience  goes  in  the  direction  of 
tne  idea  that  the  thesis  that  lead  poisoning  is  due  to  the  inhalation  of 
dust  is  a  fallacy."     (Q.  10626.) 


DANGER  IX   USE   OE   LEAD  IN   THE  PAIXTING   OF  BUILDINGS.        31 

Mr.  Orr  had  known  cases  of  lead  poisoning  contracted  by  Scotch 
painters  working  in  London;  this  he  attributed  to  the  change  in 
diet. 

Mr.  G.  Carfrae  said  he  carried  on  business  as  a  house  painter  in 
Edinburgh,  employing  an  average  of  about  100  painters.  He  has 
been  hi  the  trade  for  29  years  and  has  not  known  at  first  hand  of  any 
cases  of  load  poisoning.  He  was  unaware  of  the  official  statistics 
until  they  were  put  before  him,  when  he  agreed  that  the  sickness  and 
death  represented  by  them  is  very  deplorable,  and  he  agreed  emphati- 
cally that  it  was  regrettable  that  this  country  should  be  behind  other 
nations  in  dealing  with  this  evil.  He  laid  stress  on  the  difference  in 
painting  processes  in  England  and  Scotland,  and  attributed  the  com- 
parative immunity  from  lead  poisoning  of  painters  in  the  latter 
country  to  the  fact  that  flat  paints  are  almost  unknown  in  Scotland, 
while  they  are  largely  used  in  England.  The  rubbing  down  of  flat 
paints  causes  a  considerable  amount  of  dust,  and,  therefore,  the  non- 
use  of  such  paints  would  materially  reduce  the  risk  of  lead  poisoning. 

Mr.  Carfrae  would  agree  to  provide  and  clean  the  overalls;  he  fore- 
saw difficulties  in  the  provision  of  meal  rooms  and  in  the  provision  of 
cloakroom  accommodation.  Washing  accommodation  could  be  pro- 
vided, but  hot  water  would  not  always  be  available,  though  he  agreed 
it  was  preferable  to  cold  water.  He  thought  a  periodical  medical 
examination  of  the  men  would  increase  the  cost  of  painting  work,  but 
would  be  quite  practicable  and  should  be  carried  out  at  the  expense  of 
the  employer.  He  could  not  suggest  how  dust  generated  in  painting 
operations  could  be  removed. 

He  stated  that  he  had  tried  certain  nonpoisonous  paints,  not  exten- 
sively, and  had  found  them  unsatisfactory. 

In  conclusion,  he  said  he  thought  the  prohibition  of  lead  would 
increase  the  cost  of  painting  and  consequently  lessen  the  amount  of 
work  to  be  done.  The  regulations  would  be  expensive  to  carry  out, 
and  from  the  point  of  view  of  expense  alone  it  would  not  matter  very 
much  to  his  firm  whether  regulations  or  prohibition  be  adopted. 

Mr.  W.  F.  Dobie  has  carried  on  business  in  Edinburgh  for  about  43 
years  as  a  house  painter  and  decorator  and  employs  an  average  of  100 
painters.  He  has  only  known  of  one  case  of  lead  poisoning  amongst 
his  men.  With  regard  to  the  statistics  of  lead  poisoning  Mr.  Dobie 
suggested  that  very  few  cases  come  from  Scotland  and  thought  it 
might  be  possible  to  have  a  law  prohibiting  lead  in  England  and  not 
in  Scotland;  in  his  opinion  the  conditions  in  Scotland  arc  very  dif- 
ferent from  those  in  England.  He  agreed  that,  if  the  official  figures 
of  lead  poisoning  are  correct,  something  must  be  done  to  mitigate  the 
evil.  He  advocated  precautionary  measures,  but  considered  that  the 
employer  could  not  be  called  upon  to  provide  overalls;  a  separate 
meal  room  could  not  be  insured  in  every  case;  the  provision  of  a  cloak- 
room for  outdoor  clothing  put  off  during  working  hours  is  scarcely 
practical)]*.';  hot  water  is  not  always  available,  but  soap  and  cold 
water  could  be  had  everywhere,  and  lie  would  agree  to  provide  towels. 
In  his  opinion  very  little  dust  arises  from  sandpapering.  Hard  work 
is  prepared  with  water  and  pumice  stone  and  sandpaper  is  only  used 
between  coats;  the  newly  applied  paint  being  soft  trie  dust  adheres  to 
the  sandpaper;  he  admitted,  however,  that  the  amount  of  dust  must 
be  similar  in  Scotland  and  in  England.  Mr.  Dobie  would  agree  to 
periodical  medical  examination  at  the  expense  of  the  employer,  which 


32  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR    STATISTICS. 

would  mean  eventually  that  the  customer  would  have  to  pay  more; 
similar  considerations  apply  to  compensation  for  precautionary 
suspension. 

To  carry  out  painting  under  a  code  of  regulations  would  entail  extra 
expense  on  the  public;  if  nonlead  paints  were  substituted  for  those  at 
present  in  use,  the  work  would  also  cost  more  in  the  case  of  outside 
painting.  In  either  case  the  public  would  have  to  bear  the  extra  cost. 
The  suggested  precautionary  regulations,  moreover,  would  be  so  im- 
possible to  carry  out  that  Mr.  Dobie  considered  it  would  mean  the 
abandonment  of  lead  paints  in  any  case.  He  did  not,  however,  admit 
that  either  regulations  or  abandonment  of  lead  was  necessary. 

Mr.  Dobie  said  he  could  not  understand  the  official  figures  for 
deaths  from  lead  poisoning  amongst  painters  in  England ;  he  admitted 
it  was  possible  that  cases  in  Scotland  may  have  escaped  attention. 
In  his  opinion  painting  is  a  healthy  occupation  and  he  was  much  sur- 
prised to  hear  that  the  Hearts  of  Oak  refuse  to  admit  house  painters 
to  their  membership.  He  stated  that  he  had  used  zinc  paint  very 
freely  and  found  it  an  excellent  paint,  but  he  has  usually  used  it  with 
a  preparatory  foundation  of  lead;  in  his  opinion  it  is  impossible  to  get 
a  flat  finish  with  zinc  paints,  the  nearest  possible  is  what  is  known  in 
the  trade  as  an  eggshell  gloss.  He  did  not  consider  zinc  paint  as 
good  as  lead  for  exterior  work.  '  Zinc  paint  differs  from  lead  in  the 
technique  of  its  application.  ■     - 

As  regards  dry  rubbing;  down  he  thought  this  process  might  be  dis- 
pensed with,  but  the  quality  of  work  would  suffer. 

Mr.  E.  Guest  carries  on  a  house  painting  business  in  Glasgow, 
employing  an  average  of  about  30  painters.  He  has  had  37  years' 
experience  in  the  trade  and  has  not  known  of  any  cases  of  lead  poison- 
ing. He  considered  that  the  official  figures  of  lead  poisoning  pointed 
to  a  serious  state  of  things,  but  thought  there  would  be  a  much  smaller 
proportionate  incidence  m  Scotland  taken  by  itself ;  the  conditions  have 
improved  in  that  country  considerably  during  the  last  37  years.  lie 
thought  precautionary  regulations  would  eliminate  the  evil.  He 
maintained  that  it  was  not  possible  for  the  employer  to  provide  the 
overalls.  There  would  not  be  any  great  difficulty  in  providing  meal 
rooms  and  storage  places  for  overalls,  but  considered  it  would  be 
impracticable  to  enforce  the  provision  of  cloakroom  facilities  for  cloth- 
ing put  off  during  working  hours.  The  provision  of  washing  accom- 
modation he  considered  would  be  beneficial,  but  could  not  be  con- 
trolled. Towels  and  soap  are  supplied,  but  it  would  be  difficult  to 
enforce  their  use.  He  could  suggest  no  means  for  eliminating  or  get- 
ing  rid  of  lead  dusto  It  would  not  be  difficult  to  provide  for  periodical 
medical  examination  at  the  expense  of  the  employer;  suspension  of 
men  in  doubtful  health  would  involve  them  in  some  difficulty  in  secur- 
ing work.  Ho  would  agree  as  an  employer  to  pay  compensation  in 
cases  of  such  suspension,  but  he  would  take  steps  to  get  rid  of  delicate 
men.  He  definitely  stated  his  preference  for  regulations  rather  than 
lln>  prohibition  of  lead,  but  did  not  consider  all  the  suggested  regula- 
tions practicable,  and  could  not  indicate  any  manner  in  which  they 
could  be  carried  out  or  enforced.  He  emphasized  the  difference 
between  the  conditions  in  England  and  in  Scotland';  his  own  know- 
ledge of  the  conditions  among  painters  in  Ireland  enabled  him  to  state 
that  the  Scottish  painter  is  exposed  to  less  danger  than  the  Irish.  So 
far  as  he  had  macle  use  of  substitutes  for  lead  paints  he  had  not  found 


DAXGEE  IX  USE   OF  LEAD  IX   THE  PAIXTIXG   OF  BUILDIXGS.       33 

them  to  possess  the  same  covering  power  or  durability  as  lead;  he  did 
not  think  that  zinc  could  stand  the  Scottish  climate. 

Col.  R.  J.  Bennett  carries  on  business  as  a  painter  and  decorator 
in  Glasgow  and  Ayr;  he  has  been  in  the  trade  for  over  50  years  and 
his  firm  employs  an  average  of  150  painters.  He  has  not  known  of 
any  of  his  men  suffering  from  lead  poisoning.  He  agreed  that  the 
official  statistics  disclosed  a  deplorable  state  of  affairs,  and  considered 
that  the  work  of  painting  should  be  regulated.  He  had  had  exper- 
ience with  zinc  white  over  some  15  years,  and  considered  it  unsatis- 
factory externally,  for  example  on  railings.  He  also  thought  a  dis- 
tinction might  be  drawn  between  England  and  Scotland  in  regard  to 
regulations.  He  would  not  agree  to  supply  or  provide  for  the  washing 
of  overalls  or  for  the  keeping  thereof.  A  meal  room  is  alreadv  pro- 
vided in  90  per  cent  of  the  houses  to  which  his  men  are  sent,  but  he 
could  not  undertake  to  provide  cloakroom  facilities  for  clothing  put 
off  during  working  hours.  Washing  accommodation  is  already  sup- 
plied in  his  paint  shop,  and  the  men  also  have  water  when  working 
away  at  houses;  but  he  could  not  undertake  to  supply  hot  water. 
With  regard  to  dust  from  sandpapering  and  the  like,  he  considered 
that  exhaust  draft  would  be  very  expensive.  As  to  periodical 
medical  examination  he  thought  the  men  would  object;  the  expense 
of  that,  as  well  as  of  compensation  for  suspended  workmen,  would  fall 
eventually  on  the  public.  Regulations  can  only  be  carried  out  at 
great  expense;  he  did  not  regard  their  enforcement  as  quite  impos- 
sible, but  it  would  involve  a  few  years  of  education.  He  nevertheless 
preferred  regulations  to  the  abolition  of  lead,  on  the  grounds  of  the 
greater  durability  of  the  latter  as  a  paint. 

Mr.  R.  L.  Anderson  is  a  house  painter  and  decorator  of  Glasgow, 
employing  an  average  of  30  to  40  painters;  he  has  been  in  the  trade 
for  33  years  and  has  known  of  no  cases  of  lead  poisoning.  He  agreed 
that  the  official  statistics  disclose  a  regrettable  state  of  affairs,  and 
indicated  that  something  must  be  done.  He  thought  there  would  be 
great  difficulty  in  supplying  overalls  or  providing  for  their  washing  by 
the  employer;  the  provision  of  a  storage  place  for  keeping  the  overalls 
would  also  be  very  difficult  and  the  provision  of  a  meal  room  would  be 
impracticable  outside  the  workshop.  Washing  accommodation  could 
not  always  be  provided.  "With  regard  to  lead  dust  he  did  not  consider 
that  the  men  breathed  sufficient  to  do  them  harm.  He  knew  of  no 
way  of  removing  the  dust  generated  in  sandpapering.  He  would  be 
unwilling  to  bear  the  expense  of  periodical  medical  examination  and 
would  not  agree  to  pay  compensation  for  suspension  on  the  grounds 
of  doubtful  health.  He  preferred  a  system  of  regulations  to  the  aboli- 
tion of  the  use  of  lead,  but  did  not  agree  to  regulations  on  the  lines 
indicated — based  on  those  applicable  to  other  trades — as  he  consid- 
ered it  impossible  to  apply  them  to  house  painting.  He  also  did  not 
think  that  the  use  of  lead  should  be  prohibited,  as  he  did  not  agree 
that  the  painters  are  suffering  when  employed  under  conditions  such 
as  those  obtaining  in  his  firm.  He  had  had  very  little  experience  of 
lcadless  paints,  but  considered  that  there  was  nothing  better  than 
lead  as  a  preservative.  He  stated  that  he  had  used  zinc  white  on  iron- 
work in  laboratories  and  found  that  it  stood  better  than  lead;  in  this 
case  it  was  specified  by  the  architect  because  a  paint  was  required 

25235°— Bull.  188— 16 — —3 


34  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

which  would  stand  the  fumes  of  chemicals.  He  does  not  use  zinc 
white  generally  because  he  said  he  had  been  trained  to  understand  that 
white  lead  is  the  best  basis.  In  conclusion,  he  expressed  the  view 
that  the  statistics  show  good  reason  for  legislation  in  England,  but  not 
in  Scotland,  and  he  would  prefer  the  abolition  of  lead  to  stringent 
conditions;  he  thought  it  would  be  a  hardship  to  Scotland  to  impose 
any  restrictions  which  are  not  necessary  in  that  country. 

Mr.  John  Scott  has  carried  on  business  for  a  great  many  years 
as  a  house  painter  in  Glasgow,  employing  on  an  average  from  80  to 
90  painters;  he  said  he  used  to  hear  a  little  about  lead  poisoning 
cases  when  he  was  a  boy,  but  has  only  known  of  one  case  since  he 
has  been  in  business;  that  was  a  man  who  handled  lead  in  the  shop 
and  was  off  half  a  day  about  20  years  ago.  He  agreed  that  the  amount 
of  illness  disclosed  by  official  statistics  was  deplorable  and  suggested 
that  regulations  might  mitigate  it.  He  had  seen  some  recent  experi- 
ments on  a  small  scale  with  leadless  paints  and  thought  they  were 
unsatisfactory,  but  he  had  carried  out  experiments  on  a  large  scale 
with  zinc  unfortified  by  lead  some  20  years  ago.  He  believed  lead 
paints  to  be  essential  and  has  not  made  any  definite  attempts  to  find 
a  substitute. 

With  regard  to  precautionary  measures,  he  would  not  agree  to 
provide  overalls,  but  he  would  undertake  to  provide  a  place  for  storing 
them  and  also  a  meal  room.  There  would  be  a  difficulty  in  providing 
proper  washing  accommodation  on  the  basis  of  one  basin  to  five 
men,  but  it  would  not  be  impossible  to  provide  hot  water.  With 
regard  to  dry  rubbing  down,  he  considered  that  there  was  practically 
no  dust  unless  in  exceptional  cases.  He  would  not  object  to  the 
prohibition  of  dry  rubbing  down  on  old  work,  but  he  would  object 
to  its  total  prohibition.  He  considered  that  on  new  coats  of  paint 
the  dust  is  collected  in  the  sandpaper.  He  would  agree  to  periodical 
medical  examination  if  it  were  made  compulsory  by  law,  and  he  would 
agree  to  pay  half  wages  in  cases  of  suspension  on  account  of  doubtful 
health,  tie  preferred  regulations  to  the  abolition  of  lead  and  thought 
that  regulations  could  be  drawn  up  to  remove  all  the  evils  except 
for  the  practical  difficulty  in  regard  to  dry  rubbing  down. 

Mr.  J.  R.  Donald  has  been  in  the  painting  trade  40  years  and 
carries  on  business  as  a  house  painter,  employing  20  painters.  He 
has  only  known  of  a  very  few  unimportant  cases  of  lead  poisoning. 
He  considered  that  the  amount  of  illness  and  death  disclosed  by 
the  official  statistics  is  very  deplorable  and  something  should  be 
done.  He  uses  nonpoisonous  paints,  including  Duresco,  to  the 
extent  of  about  25  per  cent  of  the  total.  He  stated  that  zinc  white 
is  slightly  dearer  than  white  lead,  and  stated  when  giving  evid 
that,  especially  in  the  trying  atmosphere  of  Glasgow,  nonlead  paints 
would  never  fill  the  place  of  white  lead  paints. 

With  regard  to  regulations  he  gave  similar  evidence  to  the  other 
Scottish  witnesses,  and  stated  that  he  would  prefer  regulations  to 
abolition  of  lead.  A  few  da}~s  afterwards,  however,  he  expressed 
a  desire  to  add  the  following  footnote  to  his  evidence: 

Since  giving  evidence  I  have  made  very  careful  inquiry  into  the  manufacturing 
of  paints  and  pigments  in  London,  and  I  am  now  convinced  that  white  lead  can  be 
done  without.  I  desire  to  add  this  footnote  to  my  evidence,  because  my  opinion 
has  been  changed  in  consequence  of  the  practical  results  with  leadless  paints  which 
have  come  under  my  notice  in  the  last  few  days,  and  have  confirmed  the  small  but 
successful  experiments  carried  out  last  year  by  my  sons  and  myself  in  Glasgow. 


DANGER  IX  USE   OF  LEAD  IX   THE  PAIXTIXG   OF  BUILDIXGS.        35 

WITNESSES  REPRESENTING  THE  NATIONAL  AMALGAMATED 
SOCIETY  OF  HOUSE  AND  SHIP  PAINTERS. 

Mr.  Parsonage,  a  member  of  the  committee,  who  has  had  35  years' 
experience  as  a  painter,  represented  the  National  Amalgamated  So- 
ciety of  Operative  House  and  Ship  Painters  and  Decorators,  whose 
membership  varies  from  15,000  to  18,000.  The  witness  produced 
tabulated  particulars  of  a  large  number  of  deaths  and  a  still  larger 
number  of  cases  of  blindness  and  total  paralysis  due  to  lead  poisoning 
among  members  of  his  society.1  He  also  spoke  of  the  very  numerous 
cases  of  a  less  severe  nature,  and  explained  that  his  society  keeps 
no  records  of  these,  as  their  funds  would  be  altogether  insufficient 
to  permit  of  payments  being  made  except  in  cases  of  death  or  total 
paralysis.  He  also  spoke  of  the  excessive  amount  of  Bright's  disease 
amongst  painters. 

Mr.  Parsonage  considered  that  dry  rubbing  down  was  the  most 
dangerous  process  in  painting.  At  least  75  per  cent  of  the  rubbing 
down  is  done  dry;  of  this  a  large  amount  is  done  before  the  first 
coat  of  new  paint  is  applied,  but  he  considered  the  most  dangerous 
sandpapering  work  to  be  that  which  takes  place  after  the  first  coat 
of  paint  is  applied.  This  rubbing  down  causes  a  large  amount  of 
dust,  which  is  very  difficult  to  get  rid  of.  He  did  not  consider  that 
dry  rubbing  down  could  be  replaced  by  a  wet  process,  except  for 
first-class  work,  where  ground  pumice  and  felt  can  be  used. 

Danger  also  arises  in  the  process  of  filling  or  stopping  wood  or  other 
work  which  is  indented,  cracked,  or  very  rough;  it  is  Impossible  to 
avoid  getting  the  filling  material  on  the  hands  and  it  is  generally 
rubbed  down  with  sandpaper  after  it  has  dried  hard. 

The  next  most  dangerous  painting  operation  the  witness  considered 
to  be  the  painting  of  ceilings  which  have  been  covered  with  relief 
decoration,  molded  or  raised  designs.  In  doing  this  work  much 
splashing  takes  place  and  some  of  the  small  splashes  inevitably 
get  into  the  painter's  mouth.  The  same  occurs  in  the  process  of 
stippling.  The  use  of  respirators  would  not  be  practicable,  nor  would 
ventilation  by  exhaust  fans. 

Mr.  Parsonage  alluded  to  the  long  hours  of  work,  and  then  dealt 
with  the  dangers  attendant  on  the  work  of  mixing  paints;  he  found 
that  the  color  men  who  break  up  lead  paint  with  a  stick  frequently 
suffer  from  dropped  hands,  but  this  symptom  would  not  usually 
arise  until  he  had  been  at  the  work  for  several  years. 

Mr.  Parsonage  also  considered  there  was  great  clanger  of  the  painter 
inhaling  dust  arising  in  the  scraping  oil'  of  old  paint. 

The  witness  attached  great  value  to  proper  washing  accomm< 
tion,  including  hot  water,  although  he  did  not  consider  the  latter 
to  be  always  practicable.  Proper  provision  is  needed  for  ove; 
keeping  of  food,  and  a  place  for  meals.  He  considered,  howe^  er, 
that  the  danger  from  uncleanliness  was  much  smaller  than  that 
from  dust  and  spray.  In  his  opinion  it  would  be  impossible  to 
remove  the  principal  dangers  either  by  the  use  of  exhaust  apparatus 
or  by  a  prohibition  of  dry  rubbing  down;  and,  therefore,  stated  em- 
phatically that  the  substitution  of  nonpoisonous  materials  for  lead 
paints  was  the  only  way  to  obviate  the  danger. 

i  Bee  Appendix  XI  [Minutes  of  Evidence],  and  statistical  evidence  summarized  on  pp.  71-73;  :il-o  Ap< 
pendix  XII  [Minutes  of  Ewdencej. 


36  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

Mr.  W.  Pickles,  of  Manchester,  also  gave  evidence  as  a  repre- 
sentative of  the  National  Amalgamated  Society  of  Operative  House 
and  Ship  Painters  and  Decorators.  This  witness  stated  that  he  had 
had  32  years'  practical  experience  in  the  trade,  and  had  known 
lead  poisoning  cases  both  among  his  own  work  mates  and  among 
the  members  of  his  society.  He  had  made  a  study  of  the  dangers 
to  which  painters  are  exposed,  and  considered  dry  rubbing  down 
to  be  the  chief  cause  of  lead  poisoning;  he  also  considered  the  stippling 
of  flatting  paints  a  source  of  danger.  He  said  that  it  was  imprac- 
ticable to  dispense  with  dry  rubbing  down  with  sandpaper,  because 
wet  pumice  stone  would  tear  new  paint.  He  gave  evidence  regarding 
precautions  which  should  be  taken  in  dealing  with  lead  paints,  such 
as  washing,  mess  rooms,  overalls,  and  the  like.  He  considered  that 
they  would  be  very  difficult  to  carry  out  fully  in  house  painting. 
He  had  practical  experience  of  using  nonpoisonous  substitutes  for 
white  lead  and  was  strongly  of  opinion  that  they  could  be  used  to 
the  exclusion  of  white  lead;  any  difficulty  experienced  by  painters 
in  adapting  their  methods  of  work  to  zinc  paints  could  be  gradually 
overcome.  He  had  found  zinc  paints  as  good  as  lead  for  internal 
painting,  and  found  the  same  results  with  paints  used  externally 
at  the  end  of  a  two  years'  trial  which  he  had  made  on  the  exterior 
of  his  own  house. 

Mr.  J.  Walsh,  of  Liverpool,  gave  similar  evidence,  and  referred  to 
the  successful  use  of  nonpoisonous  paints  in  the  Muspratt  laboratories 
of  the  Liverpool  University  and  on  the  general  post-office  buildings. 
He  considered  that  zinc  paints  can  bo  mixed  with  the  ordinary 
vehicles  and  applied  in  the  ordinary  way  after  a  little  experience; 
also  that  zinc  paint  of  standard  commercial  quality  was  equally 
as  good  as  lead. 

Mr.  Fred  Wilson,  of  Huddersticld,  who  had  24  years'  experience 
with  one  firm,  gave  similar  evidence;  he  had  himself  had  attacks  of 
lead  poisoning,  which  he  attributed  to  dust  arising  in  the  rubbing 
down  process  and  to  work  in  mixing  paints.  He  considered  that  lead 
poisoning  could  only  be  stamped  out  by  prohibition  of  lead. 

Mr.  Frank  Lowe,  of  Manchester,  stated  that  he  was  a  painter  of 
33  years'  experience  and  connected  with  the  Manchester  Branch  of 
the  National  Amalgamated  Society  of  House  and  Ship  Painters  and 
Decorators.  Since  July,  1907,  when  the  present  compensation  act 
came  into  force,  there  had  been  5  deaths  and  25  serious  cases  of 
lead  poisoning  dealt  with  in  Manchester.  He  also  ascribed  the  chief 
danger  to  rubbing  down  and  next  to  that  stippling.  Sandpapering 
is  very  dangerous  process,  but  rubbing  down  can  not  always  be  done 
witli  pumice  stone  and  water,  as  newly  dried  paint  would  be  de- 
stroyed by  that  process.  He  also  spoke  of  the  danger  of  cleaning 
paint  cans  by  burning.  Ho  recognized  the  importance  of  washing 
conveniences,  wearing  of  overalls,  and  other  precautions,  but  stated 
emphatically  that  he  considered  prohibition  of  the  use  of  white  lead 
the  only  way  to  overcome  the  evils  attendant  on  the  painting  trade. 
Referring  to  his  recent  experiences  with  pure  zinc  white  paint  at 
Manchester,  following  on  earlier  experience  in  New  York  with  mixed 
zinc  and  lead  paints,  the  witness  stated  that  he  had  formed  the  opin- 
ion that  zinc  white  is  just  as  good  a  paint  as  white  lead;  there  is  a 
Blight  prejudice  against  zinc  because  workers  do  not  understand  how 
to  use  it,  but  there  is  no  real  difficulty  in  applying  such  paints.     In 


DANGEB  IN  USE  OF  LEAD  IX  THE  PAINTING  OF  BUILDIXGS.   37 

respect  of  rubbing  down,  this  witness  considered  that  there  was  more 
danger  in  doing  better-class  work,  as  very  little  smoothing  is  done  on 
very  cheap  work. 

Mr.  John  Bancroft,  London  organizer  of  the  National  Society  of 
Operative  House  and  Ship  Painters,  stated  that  he  has  had  27  years' 
experience  in  the  house  painting  trade.  The  membership  of  the  Lon- 
don branch  is  about  3,000,  and  among  these  there  have  been  20  cases 
of  lead  poisoning  since  the  Workmen's  Compensation  Act  came  into 
force.  Of  these,  seven  cases  are  still  on  the  books  of  the  society.  He 
was  unable  to  give  statistics  of  lead  poisoning  relating  to  the  earlier 
years,  as  they  did  not  tabulate  the  cases  until  the  passing  of  the  Work- 
men's Compensation  Act  of  1906. 

Mr.  Bancroft  supported  Mr.  Parsonage's  evidence  throughout;  he 
regarded  dust  as  the  principal  danger,  and  was  of  opinion  that  it 
could  not  be  entirely  removed  or  obviated.  Dry  rubbing  down  he 
considered  might  be  reduced  but  could  not  be  entirely  abolished.  He 
also  dealt  with  the  danger  of  splashing  in  stippling  and  spraying  oper- 
ations and  referred  to  the  importance  of  means  of  personal  cleanli- 
ness; hot  water,  he  .said,  was  generally  available.  He  considered 
that  the  periodical  medical  examination  of  painters  by  the  certif}-- 
ing  surgeon  would  be  practicable  if  the  use  of  white  lead  is  to  be 
continued.  In  the  witness's  opinion  the  workers  in  general  are  not 
fully  alive  to  the  importance  of  the  lead  poisoning  question;  they 
have  not  formed  any  strong  opinions  definitely  opposed  to  the  con- 
tinued use  of  lead  paints;  they  often  complain,  however,  that  lead  is 
used  in  a  reckless  way  and  that  there  is  great  danger  from  the  fact 
that  unpractical  foremen  are  sometimes  put  in  charge  of  jobs  where 
lead  is  used,  and  it  is  suggested  that  this  entails  a  considerable  in- 
crease in  the  use  of  dry  sandpaper  for  rubbing  down,  and  this  in  turn 
materially  increases  the  risk  of  lead  poisoning. 

Mr.  George  Webb  stated  that  he  had  had  upward  of  31  years'  ex- 
perience in  the  house  painting  trade,  during  the  last  20  of  which  he 
had  acted  as  builder's  foreman  and  foreman  decorator.  At  the  time 
of  giving  evidence  he  was  just  recovering  from  a  second  attack  of  lead 
poisoning.  He  claimed  to  have  been  always  clean  in  his  habits 
and  attributed  the  greatest  danger  to  the  mixing  of  paints  and  stop- 
pings; in  the  mixing  of  hard  stopping  white  lead  dust  flies  about  in 
the  air.  He  also  considered  dust  from  sandpapering  to  be  a  serious 
cause  of  risk,  and  was  of  opinion  that  this  could  not  be  entirely  ob- 
viated. In  other  details  also  he  confirmed  the  evidence  given  by 
Mr.  Parsonage.  The  witness  stated  that  he  had  occasionally  used 
zinc  paints  and  found  his  work  less  tiring  than  when  lead  was  being 
used;  he  had  noticed  the  difference  in  the  smell. 

Mr.  Joseph  Dcvine  stated  that  he  has  had  about  30  years'  exper- 
ience as  a  painter  and  is  connected  with  the  No.  1  London  Branch  of 
the  National  Society  of  Operative  House  and  Ship  Painters.  He  has 
himself  suffered  from  several  attacks  of  lead  poisoning  and  has  known 
others  affected.  He  described  his  symptoms,  but  stated  that  he  had 
always  been  a  very  careful  and  clean  worker,  washing  his  hands  regu- 
larly and  using  a  nailbrush. 

He  gave  details  of  three  cases  of  lead  poisoning  occurring  during 
the  last  three  or  four  years  amongst  170  painters  in  his  own  branch, 
which  is  one  of  30  branches  of  the  trade-union  in  the  London  district. 


38  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUEEAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

Iii  addition  to  these  cases,  which  received  compensation,  the  witness 
spoke  of  many  men  who  have  had  slight  seizures  of  phmibism  and 
slaved  away  for  a  few  days  without  going  on  the  sick  club. 

In  his  opinion  the  principal  causes  of  lead  poisoning  are  the  inhala- 
tion of  spray  when  doing  flatting  or  similar  work,  ana  breathing  dust 
in  rubbing  down  with  glass-paper.  With  regard  to  ill  effects  from 
the  fumes  of  paint,  he  agreed  that  they  might  lie  due  to  the  turpentine 
and  not  the  lead.  He  considered  some  danger  also  arose  through 
getting  lead  on  the  finger  tips  and  conveying  it,  even  after  washing, 
to  the  mouth. 

In  addition  to  the  sandpapering,  certain  other  processes,  such  as 
the  muking  up  of  stoppings  and  the  mixing  of  paints,  give  rise  to  some 
dust.  The  paint  that  gets  on  the  clothing  may  also  break  up  and 
form  dust  afterwards.  In  stippling  he  described  it  as  impossible  to 
avoid  some  spray. 

II;'  also  referred  to  an  attack  of  lead  poisoning  contracted  through 
rubbing  down  work  which  had  been  scorched  with  the  burning-oil: 
lamp.  The  wet  method  of  rubbing  down  between  the  application  of 
one  coat  of  paint  and  the  next  he  considered  impossible  because  of 
the  softness  of  the  paint.  Dry  sandpapering  is  also  resorted  to  for 
cheap  work,  as  it  takes  less  time  than  rubbing  down.  He  can  not 
suggest  any  way  of  safeguarding  the  worker  against  spray  in  stippling 
and  the  dust  of  rubbing  down;  regulations  would  not  remove  the 
danger. 

He  regarded  washing  accommodation  as  very  important  and  spoke 
of  recent  improvements  in  the  provision  made  by  employers.  Hot 
water  he  considered  better  for  cleansing  the  hands,  and  this  is  not 
always  obtainable.  It  is  frequently  impracticable  to  obtain  a  meal 
room/but  overalls  are  generally  worn  and  taken  home  weekly  to  be 
washed;  when  not  in  use  they  are  hung  up  in  the  room  where  painting 
is  done. 

lie  was  not  in  favor  of  periodical  medical  examination  of  painters 
because  of  the  danger  arising  in  the  interval  between  examinations. 
He  said,  however,  that  he  had  not  considered  the  subject  particularly. 

Although  he  has  claimed  compensation  himself,  he  said  he  had 
known  one  or  two  men  who  were  reluctant  to  claim  compensation. 
He  considered  it  impossible  to  stamp  out  the  evil  of  lead  poisoning 
unless  lead  is  replaced  by  some  nonpoisonous  substance.  He  had 
himself  used  nonpoisonous  substitutes  for  lead,  and  in  his  opinion 
they  are  practicable  even  for  outside  work.  He  thought  that  leadless 
enamels  with  an  extra  coat  of  varnish  would  be  economical  for  outside 
use,  because  they  would  be  more  durable.  He  stated  that  he  had 
not  felt  the  same  bad  effects  when  working  with  zinc  white  as  when 
working  with  lead,  and  he  found  no  difficulty  in  applying  zinc  or 
other  leadless  paints.  He  thought  that  work  painted  with  a  substi- 
tute  for  white  lead  would  require  varnishing  for  external  use  and 
admitted  that  lead  paint  work  is  not  always  varnished. 

In  further  examination  he  did  not  think  the  men  regarded  it  as  a 
hardship  to  be  responsible  for  providing  their  own  overalls  and  seeing 
to  their  being  washed. 

Rubbing  down  with  sandpaper  moistened  with  turpentine  is  not 
factory. 


DANGER  IN  USE   OF   LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.       39 

WITNESSES    REPRESENTING    THE    SCOTTISH    SOCIETY    OF 
HOUSE  AND  SHIP  PAINTERS. 

Mr.  David  McKillop  said  he  had  22  years'  experience  as  a  working 
painter,  and  was  connected  with  the  Edinburgh  Branch  of  the  Scot- 
tish Painters'  Society.  The  number  of  members  in  that  branch  is 
549,  and  the  witness  gave  details  of  attacks  of  lead  poisoning  suffered 
by  Hugh  Blyth,  William  Crawford,  James  Watson,  William  Walsh, 
and  Robert  Johnson. 

He  considered  that  there  was  very  great  danger  from  inhaling  lead 
dust  in  the  process  of  dry  rubbing  down.  The  witness  could  not  sug- 
gest any  way  of  guarding  against  this  risk  except  by  compulsory 
wearing  of  respirators.  He  admitted  that  a  man  might  often  be 
working  by  himself  without  anyone  over  him,  and  also  that  he  had 
never  seen  a  comfortable  respirator.  He  considered  that  the  dry 
method  of  rubbing  down  can  not  be  entirely  dispensed  with.  The 
wet  process  is  suitable  for  preparation  of  old  paint,  but  sandpaper  is 
used  after  the  first  coat  is  applied. 

He  could  suggest  no  wa}r  of  removing  the  danger  of  breathing 
splashes  when  doing  work  on  molded  ceilings  or  stippling;  exhaust 
fans  would  be  impossible. 

The  witness  was  questioned  regarding  the  observance  of  regula- 
tions, but  said  that  the  only  way  to  stamp  out  lead  poisoning  would 
be  to  replace  lead  by  some  nonpoisonous  substance.  He  admitted 
that  he  had  himself  had  no  practical  experience  of  substitutes  for 
white  lead,  but  he  was  not  predisposed  in  their  favor;  he  said  he  had 
never  used  zinc  paints,  and  admitted  the  ordinary  "painter's  preju- 
dice" with  regard  to  them.  He  agreed  that  house  painting  was  not 
an  occupation  which  would  lend  itself  to  regulations  which  required 
enforcement  by  inspection. 

Mr.  A.  Smith  stated  that  he  had  had  18  years'  experience  as  a  house 
painter,  and  is  an  official  of  the  Aberdeen  branch  of  the  Scottish 
Painters'  Society.  The  membership  of  this  branch  averages  about 
350,  and  the  witness  was  able  to  give  details  regarding  6  cases  of 
lead  poisoning.  He  himself  had  also  had  slight  symptoms  of  colic 
when  working  in  London.  Most  of  the  cases  of  which  he  spoke  ap- 
peared to  have  contracted  their  illness  while  out  of  Scotland.  This 
the  witness  attributed  principally  to  the  large  amount  of  white  work 
done  in  London,  while  very  little  of  such  work  is  done  in  Scotland. 

In  Mr.  Smith's  opinion,  although  the  dry  method  of  rubbing  down 
is  most  prevalent,  it  could  be  entirely  dispensed  with;  four  or  five 
days  would  be  necessary  for  fresh  oil  paint  to  harden  sufficiently  for 
wet  rubbing  down,  so  that  extra  time  would  be  needed.  It  would  be 
impossible  to  avoid  the  danger  arising  from  splashes  in  certain  opera- 
tions. Both  respirators  and  exhaust  fans  the  witness  considered 
impracticable.  He  regarded  washing  accommodation  as  very  impor- 
tant, and  suggested  that  time  should  be  allowed  for  washing.  A 
proper  supply  of  soap  and  nailbrushes  is  not  generally  provided,  but 
should  be.  There  i^  often  some  difficulty  in  getting  water  at  a  paint- 
ing job.  The  witness  also  dealt  with  the  provision'and  washing  of 
overalls,  and  the  necessity  for  medical  examination,  which  the  v.  Li  i 
advocated,  although  the  men  might  resent  it  at  first,  lie  also  re- 
ferred to  tiie  reluctance  of  some  men  to  claim  compensation. 


40 


BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 


Mr.  Smith  said  he  had  had  some  experience  with  substitutes  for 
white  lead,  ami  considered  that  it  was  quite  possible  to  use  zinc  oxide, 
the  color  of  which  is  superior,  while  the  durability  is,  so  far  as  his 
experience  goes,  quite  equal  to  that  of  lead,  except  under  very  excep- 
tional circumstances,  such  as  sulphurous  atmospheres.  The  chief 
objection  to  zinc  oxide  is  the  belief  that  one  would  require  four  or 
five  coats  of  zinc  oxide  to  equal  two  coats  of  white  lead  in  covering 
power;  this  the  witness  considered  a  fallacy.  The  masking  capacity 
of  zinc  oxide  is  possibly  inferior  to  that  of  lead  in  one  or  two  coat 
work,  though  only  very  slightly  inferior  in  the  case  of  two-coat  work. 
With  three-coat  work  he  claimed  there  was  ample  masking  capacity. 

He  quoted  experiments  from  Cassell's  House  Decoration,  edited 
by  Paul  Hasluck,  and  published  in  1911,  pointing  to  the  conclusion 
that  "it  is  possible  to  produce  an  oxide  of  zinc  paint  whose  opacity 
is  equal  to  that  of  white  lead  paint,  without  prejudice  to  the  saving 
of  more  than  25  per  cent  of  material  by  reason  of  the  superior  spread- 
ing power  of  the  oxide  of  zinc  paint."     (Q.  21260.) 

He  did  not  consider  that  the  painting  trade  was  one  which  would 
lend  itself  to  regulations  which  require  to  be  enforced  by  inspection. 

WITNESSES  REPRESENTING  COLOR,  PAINT,  OIL,  AND  VAR- 
NISH TRADES  ASSOCIATIONS. 

Three  gentlemen,  namely,  Mr.  A.  W.  Willis,  Mr.  K.  K.  Carson,  and 
Dr.  Crow,  attended  to  give  evidence  on  behalf  of  the  London  Color, 
Paint,  Oil,  and  Varnish  Trades  Association,  and  stated  that  at  a  meet- 
ing held  at  the  Cannon  Street  Hotel  a  week  previously  authority  had 
been  conferred  on  them  to  speak  in  the  name  of  other  paint  and  color 
associations  as  follows: 

Hull  Paint  and  Color  Manufacturers'  Association.  (Q.  11G34.) 

Liverpool  and  District  Paint,  Color  and  Varnish  Manufactur- 
ers' Association.     (Q.  11635.) 

Scottish  Oil,  Color,  Paint,  and  Varnish  Trades  Association. 
(Q.  11635.) 

North  Eastern  Paint  and  Oil  Trades  Association.  (Q.  11G36.) 
Mr.  A.  W.  Willis  stated  that  the  estimated  capital  employed  in  the 
paint-grinding  industry  throughout  the  country  is  nearly  ten  mil- 
lions; it  is  impossible  to  say  what  proportion  of  that  is  confined 
to  the  manufacture  of  lead  paints.  Mr.  Willis  could  not  say  to 
what  extent  paint  grinders  would  be  affected  by  a  change  from 
lead  to  nonpoisonous  paints.  lie  stated  that  paint  grinders  have 
been  put  to  considerable  expense  in  complying  with  the  Home 
Office  regulations  for  paint  and  color  works;  these  regulations  have 
been  beneficial  to  the  workers,  as  shown  by  the  following  table: 


Average,  1900  to 

1910. 

Cases. 

Deaths,  i    Cases. 

Deaths. 

3.1 
.7 

"1 
17 

1 
1 

DANGER  IN   USE   OF  LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.       41 

These  figures  were  quoted  to  show  first  the  benefit  of  regulations, 
and  secondly  the  claim  of  the  paint-grinding  industry  for  considera- 
tion in  any  action  which  the  committee  may  recommend.  In  the 
opinion  of  the  associated  paint  grinders,  white  zinc  is  not  as  suitable, 
especially  for  outdoor  work,  and  is  not  as  reliable  as  white  lead.  It 
will  perish  sooner,  especially  in  this  country,  where  in  London  alone 
it  is  estimated  that  sulphur  corresponding  to  600,000  tons  of  sulphuric 
acid  is  discharged  into  the  air  annually.  Some  boards  were  pro- 
duced which  it  was  claimed  supported  this  view.  In  addition  to 
trials  with  zinc  oxide  Mr.  Willis  stated  that  experiments  had  been 
made  with  zinc  sulphide  which  was  found  useless  for  exterior  work 
as  it  changes  color  in  the  sunlight. 

Questioned  with  regard  to  the  evidence  of  the  office  of  works,  the 
witness  admitted  that  they  are  very  large  users  of  paints  and  that 
their  evidence  might  be  regarded  as  important,  but  he  could  not 
judge  without  knowing  further  the  way  in  which  the  paint  was  used. 
He  stated  that  his  association  are  always  attempting  to  find  a  sub- 
stitute for  lead,  and  agreed  that  it  would  make  no  great  difference  to 
grinders  whether  white  lead  or  a  substitute  were  ground.  As  regards 
the  safety  of  their  capital  it  is  a  matter  of  indifference  whether  lead 
is  prohibited  or  not.  The  amount  of  their  capital  was  only  quoted 
as  a  justification  for  giving  evidence. 

With  regard  to  the  heavy  incidence  of  lead  poisoning  amongst 
house  painters,  Mr.  Willis  considered  that  there  was  considerable 
room  for  regulations  and  for  the  education  of  young  workers.  He 
proposed  to  prevent  ill  effects  from  the  dust  generated  in  dry  rubbing 
down  by  the  wearing  of  respirators,  which  he  thought  should  be  en- 
forced by  the  infliction  of  -fines  on  the  men  who  do  not  wear  them. 
He  admitted  that  there  was  some  expense  in  the  maintenance  of  ap- 
pliances for  carrying  out  the  Home  Office  paint  and  color  regulations, 
and  that  this  would  be  saved  by  the  prohibition  of  lead,  but  he  said 
lie  did  not  regard  that  saving  as  important. 

Mr.  K.  K.  Carson  gave  evidence  primarily  regarding  precautions 
which  may  be  taken  for  mitigating  the  evils  of  lead  poisoning.  The 
general  mixing  of  paints  by  the  painters  themselves  is  a  dangerous 
operation.  He  advocated  the  absolute  prohibition  of  the  sale  of  dry 
white  lead.  He  considered  that  the  wearing  and  necessary  washing 
of  overalls  should  be  made  compulsory;  they  should  not  be  left  over 
night  in  the  room  where  painting  is  carried  on.  The  employer  should 
provide  water  and  soap  for  washing  the  hands,  and  in  the  witness's 
opinion  cold  water  was  better  than  hot.  A  supply  of  towels  is  essen- 
tia], and  the  employer  should  allow  time  for  washing  purposes  before 
each  meal.  The  dust  generated  in  the  process  of  dry  rubbing  down 
is  a  serious  danger  which  Mr.  Carson  considered  should  bo  met  eit  her 
by  the  wearing  of  a  suitable  respirator  or  by  the  entire  prohibition 
of  dry  rubbing  down.  He  believed  that  there  was  a  lot  of  prejudice 
in  the  trade  against  the  latter  cour.se,  but  nevertheless  thought  it 
could  justifiably  be  adopted.  As  regards  the  respirator  Mr.  Carson 
could  not  say  that  he  liked  the  one  which  he  produced,  but  lie  did  not 
think  it  a  great  inconvenience  to  have  to  wear  such  an  appliance  for 
a  short  time;  the  painter  is  not  dry  rubbing  down  all  the  time,  but 
the  witness  could  not  speak  of  the  actual  time  that  a  man  would 
occupy  at  this  work.  The  witness  further  advocated  the  prohibition 
of  the  use  of  tobacco  where  painting  is  carried  on,  and  he  also  con- 


42  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

sidered  tlie  periodical  medical  examination  of  painters  at  the  expense 
of  the  employer  essential;  it  need  not  be  as  often  as  monthly,  and 
he  thought  the  difficulty  arising  when  men  are  away  on  jobs  at  the 
time  for  examination  could  be  overcome  by  arranging  for  the  men 
to  come  up  in  groups,  for  example,  on  a  pay  day. 

In  the  witness's  opinion  the  regulations  suggested  would  reduce  the 
lead  poisoning  cases  at  least  75  per  cent  if  they  were  properly  carried 
out;  with  regard  to  their  enforcement  he  saw  no  real  difficulty  pro- 
vided that  there  were  a  few  inspectors  to  go  around  occasionally. 
He  estimated  the  number  of  painters  at  about  230,000,  and  thought 
the  work  could  be  very  well  done  by  about  50  inspectors.  He  could 
not  speak  as  to  the  cost  of  such  a  staff.  He  thought  the  medical 
examination  would  indicate  the  men  liable  to  attack;  and  with  regard 
to  dust,  which  is  a  great  evil,  the  employer  or  foreman  should  be  made 
responsible  for  seeing  that  the  men  wear  respirators  and  observe  the 
regulation  generally. 

The  chipping  off  of  old  lead  paint  on  ironwork  is  such  a  dangerous 
occupation  in  the  witness's  opinion  that  it  should  be  prohibited;  the 
work  could  be  done  by  using  a  detergent  or  pickling. 

With  regard  to  the  view  expressed  by  many  master  painters  that 
such  rules  as  those  put  forward  would  be  impossible  to  carry  out  the 
witness  said  that  the  paint  grinders  felt  the  same  when  the  paint  and 
color  regulations  were  imposed  upon  them.  They  thought  it  would  be 
impossible,  but  they  have  found  since  that  they  have  to  carry  them 
out.  The  witness  admitted  that  the  machinery  now  used  for  lead 
grinding  could  bo  used  to  grind  zinc. 

Dr.  Crow  spoke  primarily  in  regard  to  the  manufacture  of  yellow, 
green,  and  red  paints,  as  also  concerning  the  lead  contents  of  driers, 
oils,  and  varnishes.  In  sonic  yellow  colors  used  for  lining  in  the  coach 
trade  an  amount  of  chromate  of  lead  is  employed  which  may  be  equiva- 
lent to  as  much  as  60  or  80  per  cent  of  lead;  the  lining  work  is  a  very 
small  part  of  the  painting  of  a  coach,  infinitesimal  really,  but  necessary 
for  beauty  of  finish.  Zinc  yellows  have  not  sufficient  opacity.  For 
ordinary  yellow  chrome  paints  from  10  to  20  per  cent  of  lead  would  be 
used.  With  regard  to  the  special  work  of  lining,  there  is  no  danger  to 
the  workman  as  there  is  no  previous  scraping  down  or  special  prepara- 
tion. The  paint  is  generally  supplied  in  a  tube.  Zinc  chromate  in 
addition  to  being  less  opaque  than  lead  chromate,  is  moro  expensive 
and  gives  a  much  smaller  range  of  tints.  In  the  witness's  opinion  dry 
rubbing  down  between  coats  is  not  very  dangerous  as  only  the  nibs  are 
removed,  but  he  admitted  there  might  be  a  little  dust.  In  regard  to 
the  toxicity  of  this  dust,  Dr.  Crow  quoted  the  chairman  of  the  health 
ixtment  and  other  authorities  to  the  effect  that  lead  chromate  is 
not  so  poisonous  as  lead  carbonate;  this  is  doubtless  due  to  the  small 
outage  of  lead  chromate  which  is  soluble  in  dilute  hydrochloric 
acid. 

All  tho  above  considerations  concerning  yellows  will  be  equally 
applicable  to  greens,  which  are  generally  made  by  adding  a  percentage 
of  Prussian  blue  to  the  yellow  chrome.  Some  of  the  best  greens  con- 
tain from  20  to  25  per  cent  of  lead  chromate,  but  only  a  small  propor- 
tion of  this  would  bo  soluble  in  dilute  hydrochloric  acid,  while  the 
usual  commercial  greens  which  are  used  for  paints  average  3  to  5  per 
cent  of  lead. 


DANGER  IN  USE   OF  LEAD  IN  THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.       43 

With  regard  to  reds,  Dr.  Crow  stated  that  some  red  colors  can  not 
be  obtained  without  something  like  90  per  cent  of  orange  lead  or  red 
lead,  which  is  needed  to  give  opacity.  These  reds  are  very  important 
and  largely  used  colors,  and  are  so  much  favored  by  certain  customers — 
for  example,  makers  of  agricultural  implements — that  the  prohibition 
might  result  in  increased  importation  from  abroad. 

As  regards  lead  in  driers,  Dr.  Crow  said  he  was  well  acquainted  with 
manganese  borate  and  manganese  linoleate,  which  dry  very  well  in 
warm  weather,  but  can  not  be  relied  upon  in  the  autumn,  winter,  and 
spring  in  the  English  climate.  The  limitation  of  5  per  cent  of  lead 
in  the  dried  material  of  the  paint  would,  however,  allow  an  ample  mar- 
gin for  the  use  of  lead  for  drying  purposes. 

A  change  over  from  lead  colors  to  leadless  would  involve  the  reprint- 
ing of  tint  cards  and  a  large  number  of  other  difficulties,  but  an  exemp- 
tion, say,  for  two  years  before  lead  was  absolutely  prohibited,  would 
assist  in  this  respect;  the  cost  of  the  colors  would,  however,  be  con- 
siderably higher. 

In  the  event  of  the  committee  agreeing  to  recommend  prohibition 
in  preference  to  a  stringent  code  of  regulations,  which  would  be  very 
expensive  to  carry  out,  a  restriction  to  not  more  than  5  per  cent  of 
soluble  lead  in  paints  would  be  a  partial  solution  of  the  difficulty. 
The  witness  added  that  he  appreciated  the  difficulties,  and  would  not 
like  to  say  that  no  perfect  solution  is  possible.  Dr.  Crow  recognized 
the  advantage  of  limiting  the  application  of  tiresome  regulations;  for 
example,  it  would  simplify  matters  if  it  were  laid  down  that  no  one 
was  to  use  paint  containing  more  than  5  per  cent  of  soluble  lead,  except 
on  certain  occasions,  for  which  the  permission  of  the  Home  Office 
would  have  to  be  obtained;  personally  he  would  rather  have  exemp- 
tions of  this  sort  than  absolute  prohibition. 

Further  examined  with  regard  to  yellows,  he  said  that  the  range  of 
tints  would  not  be  limited  if  it  were  permitted  to  use  20  per  cent  of 
chromate  of  lead,  which  would  represent  less  than  5  per  cent  of  soluble 
lead,  together  with  a  special  exemption  for  fine  colors  used  for  lining 
and  artists'  colors. 

Zinc  sulphide  has  good  covering  power,  but  is  decomposed  on 
exposure;  it  is  suitable  for  internal  purposes,  but  not  for  external 
painting.  Zinc  is  obtained  from  abroad,  and  the  existence  of  the  zinc- 
oxide  corporation  would  render  likely  an  increase  of  price  if  the  com- 
Eetition  of  lead  was  removed.  Tho  witness  admitted  that  zinc  could 
e  made  by  the  indirect  method  from  spelter,  and  that  the  big  zinc 
mines  at  Broken  Hill  are  not  as  yet  in  the  combine.  The  market 
remains  an  open  one  as  long  as  the  entire  supply  is  not  cornered,  and 
the  witness  admitted  that  the  buying  of  all  the  zinc  in  the  world  by 
tho  company  was  hardly  a  possible  proposition  any  moro  than  an 
entire  corner  of  lead. 

Mr.  Holzapfel  stated  that  ho  attended  as  a  representative  of  the 
North  East  Taint  and  Oil  Trades  Association.  His  own  business  was 
concerned  chiefly  with  compositions  for  ships'  bottoms,  but  in  addi- 
tion they  grind  zinc  paints  and  have  a  Large  trade  in  various  enam 
varnishes,  and  paints  which  are  all  leadless  except  for  the  small  pro- 
portion contained  hi  the  oil  or  varnish.  They  do  not  grind  any  lead 
paints.  The  enamels  are  entirely  made  on  a  zinc  bnsis  and  the  zinc 
paints,  which  are  not  enamels,  are  also  used  on  board  shin;  these  are 
found  to  stand  all  right  even  on  tho  top  sides  and  where  they  are 


44  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUBEAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

exposed  to  the  weather;  their  cost  compares  favorably  with  that  of 
lead  paints;  by  weight  zinc  paints  are  dearer  than  lead,  but  by  bulk 
they  are  cheaper.  The  same  paints  which  are  used  for  ships  are  also 
used  for  houses;  they  have  been  gradually  introduced  for  land  pur- 
poses. To  give  permanency  to  the  zinc  paints  a  proportion  of  varnish 
is  added  to  them;  lead  paints  do  not  require  any  varnish  added  to  the 
medium  and  so  far  as  that  point  is  concerned  lead  is  a  better  paint 
basis  than  zinc.  The  witness  admitted  that  he  thought  lead  to  be 
necessary  for  certain  purposes  although  he  had  fought  against  its  use 
all  his  life.  He  thought  the  decorating  trade  would  be  seriously 
affected  by  the  entire  prohibition  of  load  because  of  the  value  of  the 
latter  in  promoting  drying.  He  considered  that  10  to  15  per  cent  of 
lead  might  be  necessary  in  the  paint  to  make  it  act  as  a  drier,  though 
lie  admitted  that  manganese  driers  are  for  certain  purposes  as  efficient 
as  lead.  He  could  not  say  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  find  a  non- 
load  drier  if  the  use  of  lead  were  prohibited,  but  he  thought  the  system 
of  decorative  painting  would  have  to  be  changed,  because  he  thought 
that  for  inside  work  it  would  not  be  possible  to  obtain  an  article  which 
would  dry  sufficiently  quickly  without  lead.  It  was  pointed  out  to 
the  witness  that  the  majority  of  the  master  house  painters  examined 
had  agreed  that  lead  could  be  dispensed  with  for  inside  painting  and  he 
agreed  that  there  might  be  nonpoisonous  paints  suitable  for  internal 
work.  He  did  not,  however,  see  why  the  prohibition  of  lead  should 
be  contemplated.  He  explained  the  great  danger  attendant  on  the 
removal  ol  red-lead  paint  from  ships'  holds;  this  he  considered  so 
serious  that  it  should  be  restricted.  He  further  considered  "that 
most  of  the  lead  poisoning  that  we  have  to  contend  with  is  in  the  sand- 
papering of  coats  of  lead  that  have  been  applied,  in  order  to  prepare 
lor  the  next  coat.  An  enormous  amount  of  dust  is  created  through 
that,  and  that  is  partly  inhaled  and  partly  swallowed."  _  He  consid- 
ered that  the  sandpapering  of  rough  surfaces  of  paint  involved  the 
removal  of  some  25  per  cent  of  the  material  and  he  thought  dry  sand- 
papering of  lead  paints  should  be  prohibited  and  sufficient  time  given 
to  the  paint  to  dry  so  that  pumice  stone  and  water  could  be  used. 
He  agreed  that  this  would  increase  the  cost  and  the  time  required  for 
a  painting  job.  He  did  not  think  an  exhaust  draft  to  remove  the 
dust  would  bo  practicable.  Mr.  Holzapfel  also  emphasized  the  dan- 
gers of  mixing  dry  lead  compounds. 

i  le  stated  that  his  leadless  paints  had  been  applied  to  public  build- 
ings in  Nowcastle,  on  tram  car  bodies,  insido  railway  stations,  and  in 
other  places  where  they  are  exposed  to  sulphur  in  tho  atmosphere. 
These  paints  are  fairly  largely  used  for  ouside  work  and  last  as  well  as 
other  paints.  Tho  witness's  only  fear  in  regard  to  zinc  paints  was  for 
de  decoration  because  of  tho  slowness  ofdrying  of  the  zinc  paints. 

With  regard  to  the  cost  of  paint  the  witness  stated  that  lead  would 
have  no  advantage  over  zinc,  but  ho  did  not  think  that  the  latter  could 
bo  made  to  dry  as  quickly  as  lead  if  the  same  medium  is  used;  if  var- 
nish is  added,  as  in  tho  case  of  the  office  of  works  paint,  that  might 
facilitate  the  drying  sufficiently. 

Questioned  further  regarding  ship  painting,  the  witness  said  that 
oxide  of  iron  is  used  for  the  insido  spaces  and  zinc  paints  in  the  engine 
room  and  for  deck  work.  He  considered  that  zinc  paint  on  the  bul- 
warks and  deck  houses  exposed  to  sea  air  and  the  action  of  sea  water 
and  sunshine  is  exposed  to  a  severe  test,  and  has  been  found  to  stand 


DAXGER  IX   USE   OF  LEAD  IX   THE  PAIXTIXG   OF  BUILDINGS.        45 

quite  satisfactorily;  though,  as  the  witness  pointed  out,  a  ship  is  gen- 
erally painted  once  a  year  if  not  oftener.  He  has  had  no  complaints 
regarding  these  paints. 

WITNESSES  REPRESENTING  OTHER  MANUFACTURERS  OF 
PAINTS  OR  PAINT  MATERIALS. 

Mr.  W.  R.  Hardwick,  B.  Sc,  F.  I.  C,  consulting  chemist  to 
Purex  (Ltd.),  attended  to  give  evidence  regarding  the  pigment  manu- 
factured by  that  firm.  It  is  a  basic  sulphate  of  lead  which  the 
witness  stated  could  be  used  for  all  the  purposes  for  which  carbonate 
white  lead  is  used.  He  claimed  that  it  was  cheaper,  whiter,  and 
approximately  three  times  as  durable  as  white  lead.  The  witness 
admitted  that  cases  of  lead  poisoning  have  been  traced  to  the  use 
of  Purex;  but  stated  that  he  found  the  solubility  in  \  per  cent  hydro- 
chloric-acid solution,  when  calculated  in  the  manner  prescribed  in 
the  pottery  regulations,  to  be  25  per  cent  as  against  100  per  cent, 
which  is  the  solubility  of  carbonate  white  lead;  from  this  he  deduced 
that  Purex  is  only  a  quarter  as  poisonous  as  ordinary  white  lead. 

Mr.  Cookson  gave  evidence  as  representing  the  firm  of  Messrs. 
Cookson  &  Co.  (Ltd.),  desilverizers  and  manufacturers  of  white  and 
red  lead,  litharge  and  antimony,  at  Newcastle-on-Tyne.  His  firm 
do  not  handle  any  substitutes  for  lead  paint,  and  the  witness  pointed 
out  the  serious  loss  of  business  which  his  firm  would  sustain  if  the 
use  of  white  lead  in  paints  was  prohibited  without  compensation 
for  white  lead  manufacturers.  He  was  of  opinion  that  regulations, 
including  periodical  medical  examination,  would  mitigate  the  evil 
of  lead  poisoning  among  painters.  He  considered  that  respirators 
should  be  worn  as  precaution  against  the  inhalation  of  dust  in  dry 
rubbing  _  down,  or  that  dry  rubbing  down  should  be  prohibited. 
He  admitted  that  the  regulations  he  enumerated  would  only  lessen 
the  evil  and  not  eradicate  it,  and  he  recognized  the  difficulty  of 
enforcing  regulations  amongst  house  painters  on  scattered  work  all 
over  the  country. 

Mr.  J.  W.  Garson  attended  and  gave  evidence  as  managing  director 
of  Messrs.  Lewis  Bergcr  &  Sons  (Ltd.),  Homerton.  This  firm 
manufacture  both  zinc  and  lead  paints  and  consider  that  they  arc 
equally  suitable  for  all  practical  purposes,  but  recommend  lead  in 
preference  to  zinc  for  exterior  work  on  the  ground  of  its  being  more 
durable;  for  interior  painting  the  durability  is  about  the  same  for 
zinc  as  for  lead  paints.  The  price  of  lead  paints  is  somewhat  cheaper 
than  that  of  zinc  paints,  but  the  latter  cover  10  per  cent  moro  and 
retain  their  color  better.  For  exterior  work  zinc  prepared  in  the  same 
way  as  lead  paints  would  probably  only  have  about  two-thirds  of 
the  life,  but  zinc  paints  can  be  treated  in  such  manner — for  example, 
by  the  addition  of  varnish  and  of  5  per  cent  of  lead — as  to  have 
the  same  durability  as  lead  paints.  The  witness  added  that  a  coat 
of  lead  paint  is  usually  recommended  before  zinc  paints  are  applied. 
His  firm  make  enamels  as  well  as  other  paints,  and  the  enamels  are 
made  with  zinc,  not  lead.  Tho  witness's  firm  would  not  be  aire.;.. I 
by  prohibition  of  the  use  of  lead,  which  ho  considered  would  give 
an  impetus  to  manufacturers  to  find  efficient  substitutes.  The  wit- 
ness is  acquainted  with  the  range  of  paints  used  by  II.  M.  office  of 
works  and  considers  them  moro  costly  to  produce  than  paints  com- 


46  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

monly  used;  the  fact  that  these  paints  are  supplied  at  the  same 
price*  as  lead  paints  he  attributes  to  the  peculiar  position  of  II.  M. 
office  of  works  in  regard  to  competition.  A  universal  demand  for 
zinc  paints  would  reduce  the  price  of  them  to  approximately  the 
price  of  ordinary  paints. 

Mr.  W.  A.  Humfrey  gave  evidence  as  works  manager  of  the  Brims- 
down  Lead  Co.  (Ltd.),  who  manufacture  white  lead  by  a  special  proc- 
ess. He  pointed  out  that  the  prohibition  of  lead  would  mean  the 
extinction  of  his  firm  and  advocated  stringent  precautionary  regula- 
tions for  the  use  of  lead  paints,  although  he  agreed  that  if  a  com- 
plete substitute  for  lead  existed  it  ought  to  be  adopted. 

Mr.  A.  Rivet  attended  as  a  representative  of  Messrs.  T.  &  W. 
Farmiloe,  paint  grinders  and  color  manufacturers,  of  London.  This 
firm  docs  not  belong  to  any  trade  association  and  therefore  tendered 
pendent  evidence.  They  grind  both  lead  and  zinc  paints; 
their  trade  in  the  latter  is  not  a  large  one  and  is  confined  mainly 
to  enamels.  Practically  all  the  good-class  enamels  are  built  up 
from  zinc  oxide;  the  witness  dealt  with  the  source  of  their  supply 
of  zinc  oxide,  which  is  obtained  wholly  from  abroad,  as  they  found 
that  the  English  can  not  touch  the  Belgian  for  quality  or  the  German 
or  American  for  price.  In  the  witness's  opinion  the  mixing  of 
paints  by  painters  involves  a  danger  which  he  thinks  would  be 
minimized  by  purchasing  ready-made  paints.  At  present  his  firm 
are  selling  about  20  per  cent  01  their  paint  ready  mixed;  two  yearsi 
ago  the  proportion  was  not  more  than  10  per  cent,  so  that  trade  in 
ready-mixed  paints  is  increasing  somewhat  rapidly. 

Mr.  Rivet  considers  white  lead  the  best  pamt  for  protective  pur- 
pi)  es  for  outside  use.  He  quoted  the  opinion  to  that  effect  of  the 
departmental  committee  of  1893  dealing  with  various  lead  industries, 
and  said  he  had  not  changed  his  opinion  in  the  succeeding  18  years. 
Comparative  trials  were  carried  out  by  his  firm  on  their  building 
at  Westminster;  one  portion  was  painted  with  white-lead  paint, 
another  with  half  white  lead  and  half  zinc  white,  another  portion 
wilh  25  per  cent  zinc  and  75  per  cent  lead,  another  with  75  per 
cent  zinc  and  25  per  cent  lead,  and  another  wholly  with  zinc.  When 
the  work  had  been  exposed  15  months  the  building  was  examined 
and  in  their  opinion  the  white  lead  had  stood  the  best.  The  n<  xt 
best  was  the  pure  zinc.  The  various  mixtures  they  found  most 
unsatisfactory.  The  zinc  and  lead  in  equal  proportions  was  fair, 
but  the  other  two  were  bad.  The  tests  were  carried  out  at  the 
top  of  their  factory  at  Westminster,  where  there  is  very  considerable 
exposure  to  dirt,  dust,  and  smoke.  The  paint  referred  to  as  pure  zinc 
pure  zinc  oxido  mixed  with  oil  and  turpentine  and  nonlead  driers. 
The  witness  admitted  that  there  were  plenty  of  satisfactory  leadless 
paints,  if  a  white  is  not  required;  for  example,  oxido  of  iron  gives 
a  very  satisfactory  paint  for  ironwork.  Even  for  white  paints  he 
Ldered  it  possible  to  get  a  satisfactory  leadless  paint,  but  not 
io  same  cost  or  with  the  same  durability;  the  extra  cost  of  zinc 
white  paint  being  partly  due  to  the  fact  that  it  takes  more  oil  in  grind- 
from  12  to  14  per  cent  for  zinc  white  as  compared  with 
nt  for  white  lead.  If  the  committee  should  consider  it 
justifiable  to  recommend  the  prohibition  or  close  restriction  of  the 
use  of  lead  it  would  cause  some  disorganization  at  first,  but  would 
not  otherwise  affect  his  firm  at  all.     There  is  no  great  difference  in 


DAXGER  IX  USE   OF   LEAD  IX   THE  PAIXTIXG   OF  EUILBIXG3.       47 

the  machinery  needed  for  grinding  zinc  and  lead  paints,  but  it 
would  cost  them  something  to  adjust  the  speed  of  the  rollers  and  a 
different  type  of  pug  mill  would  be  needed.  Possibly  25  per  cent 
of  the  capital  value  of  the  machinery  would  be  required  for  the 
conversion.  In  the  witness's  opinion  more  coats  of  zinc  white  are 
needed  to  obtain  the  same  covering  effect  and  the  extra  labor  involved 
in  this  is  the  principal  item  in  the  enhanced  cost.  Absolutely  pure 
zinc  sulphide  has  a  bigger  obliterating  power  than  white  lead  or  any 
other  pigment,  but  the  witness  could  not  speak  as  to  its  durability 
and  had  not  met  with  it  really  as  a  commercial  article  at  present. 

The  witness  dealt  further  with  the  difficulty  of  obtaining  satis- 
factory colors  for  decorative  work  without  lead.  Aniline  colors  are 
not  sufficiently  permanent.  The  witness  stated  he  was  not  acquainted 
with  the  solubility  test,  but  thought  a  limit  of  5  per  cent  of  soluble 
lead  would  leave  great  difficulties  in  regard  to  red  colors. 

Messrs.  Farmiloe's  works  are  under  the  regulations  for  the  manu- 
facture of  paints  and  colors.  They  have  from  time  to  time  had  cases 
of  lead  poisoning,  but  they  found  no  difficulty  at  all  in  carrying 
out  the  regulations  and  ascribed  the  absence  of  any  serious  amount 
of  poisoning  in  recent  years  to  their  careful  observance  of  the  regu- 
lations. 

In  Mr.  Kivet's  ojnnion  there  would  be  no  difficulty  in  applying 
regulations  to  the  house  painting  trade;  he  considers  periodical 
medical  examination  the  most  important.  As  regards  the  dust 
from  dry  rubbing  down,  he  thought  that  this  work  might  be  done 
away  with  altogether.  If  it  were  not  possible  to  use  wet  pumice 
stone  exclusively,  he  suggested  that  the  dry  nroeess  should  be 
abandoned  as  far  as  possible  and  for  the  small  amount  of  work 
remaining  the  men  should  wear  respirators.  A  fan  would  not  be 
practicable  on  every  painting  job. 

His  firm  has  no  special  interest  in  zinc  or  lead,  but  considers 
lead  the  better  material  in  regard  to  cost  and  durability.  Pro- 
hibition of  the  use  of  lead  would  render  the  paint  trade  dependent 
on  the  supply  of  zinc  white  from  abroad.  It  would  be  impossible 
to  arrange  for  this  unless  a  fairly  considerable  interval  were  allowed 
before  the  prohibition  of  lead  came  into  operation;  a  reasonable  period 
would  be  from  3  to  5  years.  Inspection  would  be  needed  to  insure 
observance  of  regulations,  and  he  thought  the  latter  method  of 
dealing  with  the  evils  should  be  tried  first  to  see  what  effect  it  would 
have.  Various  regulations  dealing  with  medical  examination,  over- 
all--, and  washing  accommodation  on  the  lines  adopted  in  other 
lead  industries  were  put  to  the  witness,  who  agreed  that  they  would 
add  to  the  cost  of  painting  and  that  the  regulations  might  be  difficult 
to  comply  with  in  certain  cases.  He  thought  employers  would  do 
their  best  to  secure  observance  of  regulations  and  did  not  think  that 
there  would  be  any  objection  to  inspection  even  in  private  hoi 
He  thought  that  the  handling  of  white  lead  dry  should  be  prohibited 
except  under  stringent  regulation,  and  with  regard  to  his  advocacy  of 

dxed  paints  he  stated  that  their  use  would  not  add  bo 
cost  of  the  paint. 

Mr.  Rivet  was  recalled  in  regard  to  the  materials  supplied  by  his 
firm  to  the  order  of  the  office  of  works.     1!  ]  that  dining  the 

year  1911  up  to  the  middle  of  December  they  had  supplied  a  total  of 
5  tons  4  cwts..  of  white  lead,  4  tons  18  cwts.  of  which  were  delri 


48  BULLETIN   OF   THE   BUREAU   OF   LABOR  STATISTICS. 

to  the  Menai  bridge  and  the  remaining1  6  cwts.  to  the  stores  of  II.  M. 
office  of  works.  In  addition  to  the  above  quantity  which  was  sup- 
plied to  the  office  of  works  direct,  the  contractor  holding  the  general 
office  of  works  contract  had  been  supplied  with  5  tons  15  cwts.  be- 
tween April  and  November,  1911,  and  that  quantity  of  white  lead 
was  delivered  to  office  of  works  jobs,  including  the  British  Museum, 
Horse  Guards,  Victoria  and  Albert  Museum,  Church  Street,  Islington, 
King  Edward  VII  Buildings,  Tower  of  London,  Regent's  Park,  Sav- 
ings Bank — no  address  given — Somerset  House,  Chelsea  Hospital, 
Buckingham  Palace,  St.  James'  Palace,  the  Royal  Mews  near  Buck- 
ingham Palace,  Natural  History  Museum,  and  other  places.1 

Granitic  Company's  paints. — Evidence  was  given  by  a  representa- 
tive of  the  Granitic  Paint  Co.,  of  Barking,  London,  regarding 
Astrium  paints,  which  are  made  on  a  zinc  oxide  base  and  are  entirely 
free  from  white  lead.  It  is  claimed  that  their  cost  is  about  the  same 
as  that  of  lead  paints,  the  covering  capacity  about  the  same,  their 
retention  of  color  better  than  that  of  paints  on  the  white  lead  base, 
and  their  durability  equally  good.  They  have  been  very  largely 
used  by  contractors  for  the  painting  of  Government  buildings,  the 
paints  having  been  originally  compounded  to  a  formula  suggested  by 
the  principal  architect  of  H.  M.  office  of  works. 

Ragosine  Paint  Co. 's  paints. — Mr.  Heydorn,  a  director,  was  heard 
for  the  Ragosine  Paint  Co.  (Ltd.),  of  Bow,  London,  who  manufacture 
a  paint  known  as  Dixon's  White.  It  is  claimed  that  this  is  an  en- 
tirely nonpoisonous  substitute  for  the  white  lead  base  of  paints  com- 
monly used;  its  cost  is  stated  to  be  about  the  same,  its  covering 
capacity  greater,  and  its  retention  of  color  greater.  It  is  made  up 
in  paste  form  and  can  be  thinned  down  so  as  to  take  the  place  of 
while  lead  for  all  ordinary  painting  as  well  as  for  priming  and  for 
filling  and  flatting.  The  witness,  however,  did  not  consider  that  it 
so  suitable  for  sign  writing. 

Gay  &  Co.'s  paints. — Mr.  D.  Wait,  the  works  chemist  to  R.  Gay  & 
Co.  (Ltd.),  attended  and  gave  evidence  regarding  the  paints  made  by 
his  firm;  these  include  both  lead  and  zinc  paints.  He  considered 
that  the  danger  of  paint  mixing  was  a  serious  one  and  should  be 
removed  by  use  of  ready-mixed  paints  supplied  by  the  manufac- 
turers. He  also  spoke  of  the  danger  of  spray  from  the  paint  brush 
and  the  danger  of  inhaling  dust  from  dry  rubbing  down.  He  consid- 
ered lead  sulphate  less  poisonous  than  carbonate  white  lead,  but  not 
quite  harmless.  Of  nonpoisonous  substitutes  for  white  lead  he  con- 
sidered lithopone  useful  for  inside  work,  though  not  quite  so  satisfac- 
tory as  lead  paints,  and  for  outside  use  unsuitable;  zinc  oxide  paint 
he  considered  as  good  as  white  lead  both  for  exterior  and  interior 
painting.  He  named  a  number  of  public  buildings  on  which  zinc 
paints  made  by  his  firm  bad  been  used  and  stated  that  they  bad  no 
more  complaints  regarding  them  than  with  lead  paints  previously 
supplied. 

Szerelmey  Co.'s  paints. — Mr.  Cunnew  attended  to  give  evidence 
regarding  the  paints  made  by  this  firm,  which  are  intended  for  use 
ubstitutes  for  white  lead.  There  are  two  distinct  compositions, 
one  with  a  base  of  zinc  oxide  and  the  other  oxide  of  iron,  the 
vehicle  in  each  case  being  linseed  oil.  Lead  pigments  are  used  for 
producing  certain  colors,  namely,  yellows  and  greens,  which  contain 

1  See  also  p.  68. 


DANGER  IN  USE   OF   LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.       49 

a  small  percentage  of  lead,  usually  5,  6,  or  7  per  cent;  the  red  paints 
contain  no  lead.  An  infinitesimal  amount  of  lead  may  be  added  in 
winter  to  facilitate  the  drying  of  the  paints.  In  the  opinion  of  the 
witness's  firm,  who  have  been  makers  of  nonpoisonous  paints  for 
over  50  years,  it  is  quite  possible  to  get  as  good  covering  power  with- 
out using  lead;  the  zinc  paints  deficient  in  this  respect  have  probably 
been  badly  mixed.  This  firm's  paints  are  a  little  dearer  than  lead  in 
the  package,  but  are  claimed  to  be  cheaper  on  the  work.  They 
have  been  proved  to  be  very  durable  and  no  complaints  have  been 
received  on  that  score.  The  witness  gave  a  selection  of  users  who 
have  given  repeated  orders  for. these  paints;  these  include  the  Kid- 
derminster Corporation,  Exeter  Corporation,  Grays  Thurrock  Urban 
District  Council,  East  Sussex  Asylum,  a  number  of  breweries,  as  well 
as  private  individuals.  The  witness  quoted  the  Furness  Railway 
Co.,  who  have  been  using  these  paints  in  the  harbor  department  for 
more  than  15  years,  and  write:  "It  is  used  for  painting  the  inside  of 
all  our  floating  plant  and  for  the  channel  buoys,  and  is  excellent  for 
any  iron  or  steel  in  contact  with  sea  water."  Amongst  other  favor- 
able opinions  quoted  by  the  witness  is  a  statement  of  Mr.  Langton 
Cole,  official  architect  of  the  London  Stock  Exchange,  who  writes: 
"I  have  used  large  quantities  of  Szerelmey  paint  for  the  exterior  of 
the  Stock  Exchange  and  other  buildings  in  Throgmorton  Street,  also 
for  my  own  and  other  houses  at  Sutton  in  Surrey.  I  am  pleased  to 
say  that  the  results  have  in  all  cases  been  satisfactory."  (Q. 
10233.) 

The  paint  in  question  is  used  for  exterior  as  well  as  interior  work, 
and  both  on  wood  and  iron:  The  paint  has  also  been  used  largely 
abroad,  c.  g.,  by  the  Crown  agents  for  Bermuda  and  by  the  Great 
Indian  Peninsular  Railway. 

Mr.  C.  I.  Smyth  gave  evidence  regarding  the  paints  manufactured 
by  Messrs.  Mander  Brothers  (Ltd.),  Wolverhampton,  and  stated  that 
paints  made  on  a  zinc  basis  had  proved  to  have  sufficient  body  and 
covering  power  and  to  be  durable.  They  are  slightly  dearer  than 
lead  paints,  because  of  the  small  demand  at  present,  but  if  made  in 
large  quantities  would  be  cheaper  than  white  lead.  In  view  of  possi- 
ble difficulties  with  certain  colors  for 'which  lead  compounds  have 
hitherto  been  used,  the  witness  made  tests  regarding  solubility  in 
hydrochloric  acid.  He  found  that  pure  lead  chromate  has  a  solubility 
oi  only  about  1  per  cent;  commercial  chrome  yellow,  which  contains 
lead  sulphate  in  addition  to  lead  chromate,  is  soluble  to  the  extent  of 
15  per  cent;  and  chrome  yellow,  which  contains  white  lead  in  addi- 
tion to  lead  chromate,  is  soluble  to  the  extent  of  35  per  cent.  Orange 
lead  and  red  lead  arc  completely  soluble.  From  these  experiments 
Mr.  Smyth  stated  that  he  was  satisfied  that  there  would  be  no  diffi- 
culty whatever  in  making  green  paints  to  come  within  the  5  per  cent 
Solubility  limit;  with  regard  to  reds,  of  which  the  basis  has  hitherto 
been  orange  lead,  ho  would  wish  to  experiment  further,  but  he 
thought  success  in  that  direction  was  quite  possible. 

The  paints  of  this  firm  are  used  almost  exclusively  for  coach  paint- 
ing and  are  therefore  dealt  with  somewhat  more  fully  in  the  report  of 
the  coach  painting  committee. 

Mr.  A.  Vickers  attended  to  represent  the  firm  of  Archibald  Yickcrs 
(Ltd.),  paint  and  varnish  manufacturers,  who  make  a  zinc  base  paint 

25235°— Bull.  1S3— 10 4 


50  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU   OF    LABOR    STATISTICS. 

intended  as  a  substitute  for  white  lead.  Various  vehicles  are  used, 
such  as  wood  oil,  linseed  oil,  sunflower  seed  oil,  menhadyn  oil,  and  so 
on.  No  lead  is  introduced  into  their  paints  except  a  very  small  pro- 
portion which  may  be  contained  in  the  zinc.  Mr.  Vickers  prefers^  to 
exclude  all  lead  compounds  even  from  the  driers,  and  prefers  zinc 
oxide  which  has  been  manufactured  by  the  indirect  method.  He 
claims  to  obtain  sufficient  covering  power  without  use  of  either  red  or 
white  lead.  The  price  at  the  time  of  giving  evidence  is  less  than  the 
price  of  lead  paints  owing  to  the  repeated  rise  in  the  price  of  lead. 
Twelve  months  previously,  when  the  price  of  lead  was  £9  10s.  ($46.23) 
a  ton  cheaper,  the  price  of  the  lead  and  zinc  paints  was  about  the 
same.  In  Mr.  Ticker's  opinion  users  of  paints  who  are  not  accus- 
tomed to  zinc  believe  it  to  be  much  more  costly,  but  those  who  have 
learned  to  use  zinc  paint  properly  find  it  no  more  expensive  than  paint- 
ing with  lead.  The  leadless  paints  of  this  firm  have  been  in  use  for 
seven  3-ears,  and  have  been  found  durable  even  for  outside  purposes 
under  certain  conditions;  for  example,  the  zinc  paint  on  the  concert 
hall  on  Brighton  west  pier  has  stood  well,  whilst  the  lead  paint  on  the 
long  central  shelter  on  the  same  pier  has  perished.  Southsea  pier 
has  also  been  painted  with  zinc  paint.  The  witness  admitted  that  he 
had  had  some  complaints,  but  he  contended  all  paint  manufacturers 
have.  He  was,  however,  able  to  give  a  large  number  of  customers 
who  are  so  satisfied  with  the  zinc  paint  that  they  give  repeat  orders 
for  it.  In  the  witness's  opinion  zinc  oxide  could  replace  lead  for 
inside  work  and  if  mixed  with  suitable  medium  also  for  outside 
work.  Inert  base  silica  is  added  to  the  zinc  oxide  in  his  paints  to 
give  additional  covering  power  and  to  take  the  fluffiness  out  of  the 
paint.  For  exterior  use  the  witness  stated  that  zinc  paint  should  be 
used  with  an  increased  amount  of  oil.  Even  with  this  addition  the 
paint  would  not  be  any  more  costly  than  lead  paint.  The  witness 
did  not  agree  that  lead  paints  were  better  than  zinc  paints  and  con- 
sidered the  latter  better  than  lead  in  a  sea  atmosphere.  He  thought 
the  prejudice  against  zinc  paints  was  more  noticeable  among  brush 
ha! ids  and  certain  foremen  than  among  the  most  skilled  practical 
painters. 

Mr.  F.  Pisart  is  managing  director  of  the  Maastricht  Zinc  White 
Co.  He  does  not  regard  the  use  of  white  lead  as  very  danger- 
ous if  proper  care  be  used,  but  precautions  are  necessary  if  lead  paints 
are  to  be  retained,  and  in  his  opinion  zinc  can  replace  lead  as  a.  pig- 
ment, purely  on  the  ground  of  its  superiority.  As  an  instance  of  this 
he  gave  a  table  showing  the  increasing  use  of  zinc  in  Sweden,  where 
in  six  years  the  amount  of  zinc  pigments  used  has  risen  from  3,032 
Ions  to  4,244  tons,  while  white  lead  has  decreased  from  511  tons  to 
501  tons.  There  are  no  laws  against  white  lead  in  Sweden,  neither 
arc  there  any  duties  on  white  lend,  zinc  oxide,  or  lithopone,  nor  are 
there  any  manufacturers  of  either  white  lead  or  zinc  paints  in  Sweden. 
The  witness  attributed  the  preponderance  of  zinc  over  lead  to  the 
advanced  view  of  painters  in  Sweden.  The  experience  of  Sweden, 
Mi'.  Pisart  considers,  supports  his  contention  that  zinc  pigments  are 
as  durable  as  and  as  good  as  lead  in  every  respect,  and  that  they  are 
no  more  cosily. 

In  connection  ^  it h  the  French  prohibition  of  the  use  of  white  lead 
from  January  1,  1915,  a  commission  has  been  inquiring  into  the  stand- 


DANGER  IN  USE   OF  LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.        51 

ard  of  purity  to  bo  demanded.     The  resolution  adopted  at  the  meeting 
of  March  25,  1912,  reads  as  follows: 

Article  4.  The  description  "zinc  white"  (blanc  de  zinc)  with  or  without  qualifica- 
tion shall  be  applied  exclusively  to  oxide  of  zinc  used  in  painting  and  containing  not 
more  than  five  parts  of  impurities  derived  from  the  ore  in  100  parts.  Such  impurities 
may  consist  of  lead  compounds  provided  they  do  not  exceed  3  per  cent  calculated  as 
metallic  lead  (Pb). 

Pure  zinc  oxide  has  a  tendency  to  crack  with  changing  tempera- 
tures; in  its  physical  properties  also  a  very  pure  zinc  maybe  obtained 
which  is  of  no  use  as  a  pigment.  With  4  per  cent  of  lead  the  tendency 
of  a  zinc  oxide  paint  to  crack  would  bo  checked,  and  the  witness  con- 
sidered such  a  grade  of  zinc  oxide  would  be  suitable  for  making  paint 
for  use  in  this  country. 

The  Belgian  Government  decided  to  suppress  white  lead  in  the 
buildings  of  their  railway  administration  as  early  as  1903,  but  after  an 
experiment  lasting  one  year  they  reverted  to  white  lead,  which  was 
used  until  1908;  in  that  year  they  changed  the  specification  to  zinc 
oxide  containing  4  per  cent  of  lead  compounds,  and  from  that  time 
they  have  never  reverted  to  white  lead.  Lead  paints  were  abandoned 
by  the  Belgian  State  railways  for  their  rolling  stock  at  a  much  earlier 
date,  some  20  years  ago.  Mr.  Pisart  claimed  that  zinc  with  4  per  cent 
of  lead  is  as  durable  as  white  lead,  both  for  internal  and  external  use, 
and  has  greater  covering  power  when  used  as  a  white  paint  applied  in 
three  coats  over  a  black  surface. 

If  the  use  of  lead  in  paints  were  restricted  by  law,  it  would  probably 
cause  a  temporary  rise  in  the  price  of  zinc,  perhaps  to  the  extent  of 
£2  (S9.73)  per  ton.  This  would  bo  duo  to  the  necessity  for  supplying 
the  new  material  immediately ;  if  the  prohibition  were  only  to  come 
into  force  at  the  end  of  five  years,  he  did  not  think  there  would  be  any 
rise  in  the  market.  With  a  two  years'  time  limit  there  might  be  a  small 
rise  of  £  1  or  £2  (84.87  or  S9.73)  per  ton.  This  increase  of  price  would 
not  be  permanent,  as  the  supply  of  zinc  adjusts  itself  to  the  demand. 

During  the  10  years  (1901-1910)  the  increase  in  the  consumption  of 
metallic  zinc  has  amounted  to  6.2  per  cent  per  annum,  while  the 
increase  in  the  consumption  of  lead  has  been  only  2.9  per  cent  per 
annum.  If  a  large  additional  demand  for  zinc  oxide  should  arise  the 
price  would  eventually  fall,  because  zinc  oxide  would  be  made  from 
very  low-grade  ores  by  the  direct  process,  and  this  would  tend  to  cause 
the  reopening  of  a  great  number  of  mines  which  are  now  useless 
because  the  ore  in  them  is  not  good  enough  for  making  metallic  zinc. 

If  lead  up  to  3  per  cent  were  permitted  in  zinc  paints  sufficient  zinc 
could  certainly  be  produced  by  the  direct  process  to  supply  the  full 
demand  in  this  country  within  some  two  years;  if  the  percentage  of 
lead  allowed  were  as  great  as  4  or  5  per  cent  it  would  make  it  still 
easier  for  the  direct  process  makers  to  obtain  suitable  ore. 

Lithoponc  is  a  suitable  paint  for  interior  work  only,  but  is  not  so 
good  as  a  zinc-oxide  paint  with  4  per  cent  of  lead,  which,  in  the  wit- 
ness's opinion,  would  be  much  more  durable  than  any  other  paint. 
Lithopone  is  being  very  largely  used  in  France  and  Germany.  The 
import  of  this  material  into  France  has  doubled  in  the  course  of  one 
year;  the  present  annual  consumption  of  paint  materials  in  France  is 
approximately  25,000  tons  of  white  lead,  8,000  tons  of  zinc  oxide,  and 
5,000  tons  of  lithopone. 


52  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

Mr.  Pisart  stated  that  his  firm  made  zinc  oxide  both  by  the  direct 
and  indirect  process;  both  these  processes  are  more  than  50  years  old, 
and  there  are  no  patent  rights  whatever  involved.  He  could  sec  no 
reason  why  zinc  oxide  should  not  be  manufactured  in  England  if  the 
demand  increases;  his  own  firm  would  indeed  consider  the  question 
of  coming  over  to  start  manufacturing  here. 

Air.  Pisart  was  recalled  on  October  17,  1912,  and  questioned  fur- 
ther with  regard  to  the  material  used  by  the  Belgian  State  railways. 
He  produced  an  official  letter  signed  by  M.  de  Broqueville,  prime  min- 
ister and  minister  of  railways  in  Belgium,  inclosing  a  detailed  state- 
ment regarding  materials  used,  as  follows : 

.  The  Belgian  State  railway  department  no  longer  use  white  lead,  this  material  hav- 
ing been  prohibited  alike  for  works  of  maintenance  as  for  those  of  construction,  by  a 
ministerial  decree  passed  in  the  course  of  the  year  1908. 

From  the  close  of  that  year  no  further  purchases  of  white  lead  have  been  made. 

The  prohibition  of  the  use  of  lead  applies  to  all  painting  work  done 
for  the  State  railways,  whether  by  the  railway  administration  itself 
or  by  contractors.  It  applies  to  everything — locomotives,  wagons, 
stations,  sidings,  bridges,  signals. 

The  paint  at  present  used  by  the  Belgian  Government  as  a  sub- 
stitute for  white  lead  consists  of  zinc  white,  in  which  not  more  than  4 
per  cent  of  lead  compounds  are  permitted.  This  small  proportion 
of  lead  is  advantageous  for  outside  work  as  it  prevents  chalking. 
Whero  absolutely  pure  white  color  is  required,  Mr.  Pisart  advocates 
zinc  oxide  with  3  per  cent  of  basic  sulphate  of  lead  combined  in  the 
course  of  manufacture,  not  added.  Where  a  pure  white  color  is  not 
so  important,  and  the  greatest  possible  covering  power  is  required  for 
external  work,  a  little  more  lead  should  be  allowed,  say  8  per  cent  of 
lead  sulphate  as  the  maximum.  This  proportion  of  lead  sulphate 
would  correspond  almost  exactly  to  5  per  cent  of  lead  soluble  in  dilute 
hydrochloric  acid. 

Mr.  Pisart  also  made  inquiries  from  the  general  manager  of  the 
Malines  works  of  the  Belgian  State  railway,  who  found  that  red  oxide 
of  iron  is  now  being  used  in  place  of  red  lead. 

Mr.  Pisart  said  his  works,  employing  about  500  men,  have  been  in 
operation  since  1870,  and  there  have  been  no  cases  of  lead  poisoning 
throughout  the  42  years,  although  no  particular  precautions  are  taken 
to  avoid  breat  hing  of  dust,  even  in  the  case  of  the  20  to  30  men  who  do 
the  packing  and  arc  much  exposed  to  dust.  Careful  medical  examina- 
tion  is  carried  out  in  Holland,  where  the  works  are  situated,  and  no 
doctor  has  reported  any  case  of  poisoning  from  inhaling  the  zinc  dust. 
The  mechanical  effect  of  breathing  lithopone  dust  has  given  rise  to  a 
case  of  chest  trouble,  which  the  doctor  described  as  "irritation." 

The  official  figures  quoted  in  reply  to  Q.  21823  show  that  the  quan- 
tity of  zinc  white  supplied  to  the  Belgian  State  railways  has  been 
diminishing.  This  the  witness  ascribed  to  buying  at  first  on  the 
ba  is  of  white  lead  and  finding  that  the  zinc  went  further  than  the 
lead. 

Mr.  Gaston  Depierres  is  managing  director  of  the  Indestructible 
Paint  Co.  of  London,  and  a  past  president  of  the  paint  and  varnish 
society.  His  firm  manufacture  both  lead  and  zinc  paints,  so  that 
he  has  no  interest  on  either  side. 

Until  the  middle  of  last  century  white  lead  was  practically  the  only 
pigment  in  use,  but  since  then  white  zinc  has  been  gradually  more  and 


DANGER  IN  USE   OF  LEAD  IX   THE  PAINTING   OP  BUILDINGS.        53 

more  introduced.  White  lead  is  peculiarly  susceptible  to  sulphur 
gases,  and  has  also  a  tendency  to  chalk  and  become  powdery,  and  in 
the  witness's  opinion  it  is  undoubtedly  possible  to  dispense  with  it  for 
painting.  He  admitted  that  white  lead  is  a  very  excellent  pigment, 
but  added: 

If  te-day  white  lead  were  suppressed  I  am  sure  that  our  houses  would  be  painted 
equally  as  well  as  they  are  now  painted,  and  that  we  should  not  suffer,  and  very  prob- 
ably in  20  years'  time  we  should  almost  have  forgotten  the  existence  of  white  lead 
(Q."l9008). 

In  his  opinion  there  are  only  two  substitutes  for  white  lead  at  pres- 
ent known,  namely,  zinc  oxide  and  lithopone.  Zinc  oxide  has  been 
used  for  many  years,  and  failures  reported  with  zinc  oxide,  both  in 
regard  to  durability  and  covering  properties,  were  ascribed  by  the  wit- 
ness to  lack  of  technical  knowledge  among  house  painters. 

Mr.  Depierres  described  both  the  direct  and  indirect  processes  of 
making  zinc  oxide ;  that  made  by  the  direct  process  is  cheaper,  and  in 
the  witness's  opinion  a  very  much  better  pigment  owing  to  its  physical 
properties.  It  is  more  opaque  and  has  a  covering  power  better  even 
than  white  lead.  The  peculiar  physical  properties  of  zinc  oxide  made 
by  the  direct  process  are  probably  connected  with  the  small  amount  of 
lead  compounds  in  the  zinc  as  well  as  to  difference  in  the  process  of 
manufacture. 

Mr.  Depierres  considered  that  the  amount  of  lead  present  in  a  zinc 
paint  should  not  exceed  5  per  cent,  and  should  not  be  artificially 
added,  but  should  be  left  in  the  zinc  oxide  as  prepared  from  the  zinc 
ore.  The  Dutch,  Swedish,  Norwegian,  and  French  Governments 
admit  4  per  cent  of  lead  in  zinc  oxide;  in  some  specifications  for  zinc 
paints  in  this  country  994  P?r  cent  pure  zinc  oxide  has  been  demanded 
and  in  some  cases  mixed  afterwards  with  50  per  cent  of  white  lead. 
This  practice  the  witness  considered  ridiculous.  If  zinc  oxide  paint 
with  4  per  cent  of  lead  naturally  present  in  it  had  been  generally  used 
in  this  country,  he  had  no  doubt  a  good  deal  of  the  prejudice  would 
have  been  removed. 

Lithopone  is  not  so  good  as  zinc  oxide  for  exterior  painting,  but  in 
the  witness's  opinion  it  has  survived  criticism  for  interior  work  and 
for  water  paints  and  undercoatings.  It  has  a  very  good  body  and 
excellent  covering  power. 

The  Indestructible  Paint  Co.  have  supplied  zinc  paints  for  a  great 
many  years  to  the  admiralty  amongst  other  users.  Largo  quantities 
of  paint  have  been  supplied  for  the  six  supei dreadnoughts  recently 
built,  and  the  witness  quoted  a  single  order  from  the  admiralty  for 
7,000  gallons  of  zinc  paint  manufactured  from  direct  zinc  oxide  which 
paint  obtained  in  competition  the  greatest  number  of  points  for  excel- 
lence. Zinc  paints  can  not  be  applied  in  exactly  the  same  manner 
as  lead  paints,  but  there  is  no  special  difficulty  attaching;  once  tho 
painter  is  shown  how  to  apply  it,  he  can  get  in  the  habit  of  doing  so; 
ni;ttiy  painters  have  no  trouble  with  zinc  paint  at  all. 

Atr  tne  time  of  giving  evidence,  Mr.  Depierres  said  zinc  oxide  paint 
was  cheaper  than  lead  paint,  but  under  normal  market  conditions, 
there  would  be  very  little  difference  in  the  price.  If  properly  made 
a  zinc  paint  does  not  deteriorate  and  can  be  kept  two  or  three  years. 
His  firm  guarantee  the  paint  supplied  to  the  admiralty  not  to  set 
within  two  years;  they  could  not  give  any  such  guaranty  lor  a  lead 
paint.     The  behavior  of  zinc  paint  is  very  different  when  applied 


54  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR    STATISTICS. 

over  an  undercoating  of  properly  made  zinc  paint  and  when  applied 
over  lead  undercoating.  So  far  as  the  witness's  experience  goes,  he 
asserted  that  his  firm's  zinc  paints  are  efficient  substitutes  for  ordi- 
nary lead  paints;  the  prohibition  of  the  use  of  white  lead  would  not 
embarrass  his  firm  or  their  customers. 

With  regard  to  colored  paints,  the  witness  said  it  was  difficult,  but 
not  impossible  to  obtain  good  red  colors  without  either  red  or  orange 
lead.  The  present  range  of  colors  could  be  obtained  provided  orange 
chrome  was  not  excluded,  but  would  be  dearer.  He  referred  to  recent 
improvements  in  leadless  reds. 

There  is  no  difficulty  in  regard  to  blues,  and  for  yellows  and  greens 
chromate  of  lead  is  an  excellent  pigment.  A  complete  range  of  colors 
would  be  obtainable  even  without  chromates,  but  would  increase 
the  price  of  greens  certainly  15  or  20  per  cent;  and  the  witness  did 
not  think  prohibition  should  extend  to  chromate  of  lead,  which  is  so 
insoluble  that  the  amount  used  in  any  paint  could  be  kept  well  within 
5  per  cent  of  soluble  lead. 

In  conclusion,  Mr.  Depierres  stated  that  prohibition  of  the  use  of 
lead  is  the  easiest  solution  of  the  poisoning  question,  and  he  did  not 
think  that  the  country  would  suffer  from  it  at  all.  He  repeated  that 
his  firm  have  no  interests  in  the  grinding  of  white  zinc  in  preference 
to  white  lead. 

Mr.  H.  G.  Chancellor,  M.  P.,  and  Mr.  S.  P.  Penwarden  attended  as 
representatives  of  Messrs.  C.  Chancellor  &  Co.,  manufacturers  of 
leadless  paints.  This  firm  supply  zinc  paints  which  it  is  claimed  can 
be  used  for  any  purpose  for  which  white  lead  is  used.  The  zinc  oxide 
bought  for  mixing  these  paints  is  obtained  partly  at  home  and  partly 
abroad.  The  paints,  which  are  known  as  Velure,  contain  no  lead 
whatsoever  except  in  the  case  of  chrome  colors.  A  special  medium 
is  used  and  special  thinners.  No  lead  driers  are  added.  Mr.  Chan- 
cellor claimed  that  one  coat  of  Velure  will  cover  quite  as  well  as  two 
coals  of  white  lead.  The  price  charged  for  the  paint  to  ordinary 
painters  is  20s.  ($4.87)  a  gallon,  and  the  claim  that  90  square  yards 
of  painting  can  be  done  per  gallon  was  fully  substantiated  by  lei 
from  contractors  who  have  used  the  paint.  Some  customers  have 
said  that  they  can  get  the  same  results  with  Velure  at  a  cheaper  rate 
than  with  lead  paints,  but  Mr.  Chancellor  added  that  there  is  a  great 
amount  of  prejudice  against  special  articles.  Velure  has  been  in  uso 
since  1899,  and  a  list  of  buildings  in  which  it  has  been  used  was  put 
in.  On  the  question  of  durability  Mr.  Chancellor  pointed  to  a  num- 
ber of  cases  where  this  paint  had  been  used  and  had  not  required 
renewal  for  7  or  8  jvears.  Amongst  other  instances  Mr.  Chancellor 
quoted  the  Royal  Yacht  Victoria  and  Albert,  the  paint  work  at  Sand- 
nngham  and  Osborne,  Mount] oy,  Dublin,  external  doors  at  Maidstone 
and  brick  walls  at  Lewes  prison,  infant,  hospital  in  Vincent  Square. 
Plaistow  Fever  Hospital;  at  the  last-named  place  it  is  used  exclus- 
ively for  outside  and  inside  painting  on  a  zinc  oxide  undercoat.  The, 
firm  recommend  that  lead  paints  should  not  be  used  immediately 
under  Velure. 

Velure  has  been  used  on  the  Soudan  Government  and  Nigerhm 
railways,  the  Rio  de  Janeiro  tramcars,  Buenos  Aires  &  Pacific  Railway, 
and  the  Royal  Indian  Marine.  The  Midland  Railway  also  used  Velure 
on  their  Heysham  boats  and  the  Belfast  &  Northern  Counties  Ra  1- 
way  of  Ireland.     Velure  has  also  been  used  very  largely  in  the  garden 


DANGER  IN  USE   OF   LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING  OF  BUILDINGS.        55 

suburbs  both  for  external  and  internal  painting.  The  houses  at 
Letchworth  and  Hampstead  are  generally  finished  in  two  coats  instead 
of  three  or  four.  After  priming  they  put  on  one  coat  generally  of 
zinc  and  finish  with  one  coat  of  Velure.  Velure  is  supplied  in  about 
150  colors  and  fresh  tints  are  being  added  every  day.  Mr.  Chancellor 
said  so  far  as  his  experience  goes  their  paints  are  efficient  substitutes 
for  ordinary  lead  paints,  and  are  far  more  durable  as  they  are  less 
liable  to  atmospheric  and  chemical  action.  There  is  no  difficulty  in 
obtaining  supplies  of  zinc  oxide  apart  from  strikes  and  temporary 
dislocations  of  this  kind.  The  increased  demand  for  zinc  would  prob- 
ably lead  to  a  rise  in  price  and  the  formation  of  a  corner  similar  to 
the  one  which  was  being  attempted  in  white  lead.  At  the  time  the 
evidence  was  given  Mr.  Chancellor  thought  if  white  lead  were  pro- 
hibited probably  other  pigments  would  be  discovered  which  would 
compete  with  zinc  and  keep  the  price  from  rising  unduly.  In  any 
case  he  thought  that  the  prohibition  of  white  lead  would  not  materi- 
ally affect  the  public  purse.  Velure  is  slower  drying  than  common 
paints  and  this  property  contributes  to  its  durability,  lustre,  and 
beauty.  White  lead  acts  as  a  drier  and  therefore  white  lead  paints 
dry  more  quickly.  Mr.  Chancellor  said  that  he  recommended  the 
slow  drying  Velure  only  for  the  last  coat.  Zinc  oxide  is  generally 
used  for  the  undercoats  with  a  special  leadless  liquid  drier.  He  reiter- 
ated that  prohibition  of  the  use  of  white  lead  would  not  entail  harm 
to  anybody  except  the  white  lead  manufacturers. 

Mr.  Penwarden  in  further  examination  said  that  the  sale  of  Velure 
has  a  distinct  tendency  to  increase.  It  is  supplied  both  for  glossy 
and  flat  finish.  It  is  not  difficult  to  apply,  being  similar  in  use  to 
varnish.  A  very  small  proportion,  indeed  a  negligible  percentage, 
of  customers  who  have  tried  Velure  have  reverted  to  the  use  of  lead. 

M.  Giraud  and  M.  Petit. — These  two  gentlemen  attended  as  repre- 
sentatives of  the  French  firm  of  Carlier  Freres,  who  manufacture 
hydrated  zinc  oxide,  called  "Zinox.';  This  is  stiff  paste  composed 
of  pure  zinc  oxide  and  hydrated  and  ground  in  pure  linseed  oil.  The 
painter  prepares  his  paint  from  this  paste  by  the  addition  of  oil,  tur- 
pentine, driers,  and  coloring  materials.  Zinox  is  guaranteed  to  be 
free  from  white  lead,  and  is  intended  to  be  used  as  a  substitute  for 
white  lead  paste  in  making  up  paints.  Such  paints  have  greater  cov- 
ering power  than  those  made  from  white  lead,  in  the  proportion  of 
12  square  meters  obliterated  to  the  same  extent  as  11  square  meters 
with  the  same  quantity  of  white  lead. 

Zinox  is  not  cheaper  than  white  lead  weight  for  weight,  but  the 
paint  made  from  it  is  cheaper  in  use.  Between  700  and  800  tons  have 
been  sold  in  the  first  six  months  of  1912.  The  paint  has  been  in  use 
in  France  for  seven  years,  and  the  customers  say  it  is  cheaper  in  use 
than  white  lead.  Tnere  have  also  been  no  complaints  us  to  its  dura- 
bility for  either  interior  or  exterior  work.  A  five-story  house  was 
painted  as  a  trial  at  St.  Denis,  near  Paris;  the  first  and  second  stories 
with  Zinox,  and  the  third,  fourth,  and  fifth  stories  with  white  lead. 
This  paintwork  has  been  exposed  nearly  six  years  without  repainting, 
and  the  Zinox  was  then  in  a  better  condition  than  the  whit<^  lead. 
Zinox  lias  also  beeD  found  to  stand  better  than  white  lead  at  Lille. 
A  list  of  principal  customers  was  given,  practically  all  wholesafe  paint 
merchants. 


56  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR    STATISTICS. 

This  paint  had  not  yet  been  tried  in  England.  It  was  further  stated 
that  it  had  been  used  on  yachts,  and  testimonials  from  users  were 
produced.  It  can  be  used  with  equal  success  on  iron  and  steel  or  on 
wood.  Zinc  oxide  firms  are  only  too  glad  to  make  contracts  with 
paint  manufacturers,  and  M.  Petit  said  that  he  had  no  fear  of  being 
short  of  zinc  oxide  if  the  demand  increased.  Zinox  was  further  stated 
to  be  unaffected  by  moisture,  and  could  bo  used  on  glass.  It  is  sup- 
plied to  the  contractors  for  certain  of  the  French  railways,  but  the 
witnesses  could  not  give  the  amounts  bought  annually  by  the  rail- 
ways, as  all  the  users  are  supplied  througn  paint  merchants.  The 
demand  for  Zinox  has  practically  doubled  each  year. 

Mr.  A.  Connell  attended  as  a  representative  of  Messrs.  Meister, 
Lucius,  and  Bruning,  who  manufacture  anilin  and  alizarin  dyes,  which 
arc  leadless  coloring  materials  intended  for  use  as  stainers  in  paints. 
The  colors  are  sold  as  "Hansa"  yellows,  "Hansa"  greens,  and  so  on. 
Practically  all  colors  are  manufactured,  including  reds.  They  are 
used  as  substitutes  for  coloring  materials  which  nave  a  lead  base. 
They  do  not  fade  or  change  tint  when  exposed  to  bright  light. 
"Hansa"  yellow,  moreover,  possesses  the  advantage  over  lead  chrome 
that  it  can  be  applied  on  lime  without  change  of  color.  The  witness 
stated  that  "Hansa"  yellow  can  be  used  with  advantage  for  all  pur- 
poses for  which  chrome  yellow  is  used  to-day.  He  generally  recom- 
mends the  use  of  "Hansa"  colors  with  lithopone  as  the  base  paint, 
but  they  arc  even  better  with  zinc  white  than  with  lithopone. 

The  actual  coloring  material  known  as  "Hansa"  yellow  has  been 
estimated  at  from  10  to  50  per  cent  more  expensive  than  lead  chrome. 
This,  in  the  case  of  a  paint  containing  10  per  cent  of  yellow  coloring 
material,  would  mean  that  the  paint  was  from  1  to  5  per  cent  more 
expensive. 

These  new  colors  have  been  on  the  market  since  May,  1910,  and 
the  witness  considered  two  years  sufficient  to  judge  of  the  permanence 
of  coloring  material.  The  demand  for  "Hansa"  colors  is  consider- 
able and  increasing.  If  the  use  of  lead  materials  were  to  be  pro- 
hibited, the  increase  in  the  cost  of  painting  operations-  woulcl  be 
very  slight  owing  to  the  relatively  small  cruantities  of  coloring 
material  used  in  any  painting  job. 

Rabok  Co.'s  paints. — Capt.  Flatau  and  Mr.  Milnes  attended  and' 
gave  evidence  as  representatives  of  the  Rabok  Manufacturing  Co., 
of  Sheffield.  Their  paint  is  compounded  of  finely  ground  graphite 
in  a  hydrocarbon  medium.  This  is  nonpoisonous  and  the  makers 
claim  that  it  is  extremely  durable,  and  that  it  is  only  about  half 
the  price  of  lead  paint.  It  is  intended  to  be  used  as  a  primer.  Its 
color  is  a  natural  dark  steel  gray  tinted  with  maroon  or  olive  green, 
but  it  is  claimed  that  light  colors  can  be  applied  over  it.  It  is 
bly  used  for  exteriors  in  America,  and  it  was  stated  to  have 
been  round  satisfactory  for  certain  exposed  structures  in  Sheffield. 

Mr.  W.  Cail  attended  as  representative  of  Cail's  Bitmo  Co.  (Ltd.), 
of  Newcastle-on-Tyne,  who  are  manufacturers  of  bituminous  com- 
positions  which  can  be  used  either  as  ordinary  paints  or  as  priming 
coats.  One  of  the  compositions  is  put  on  in  nearly  a  boiling  state. 
The  bitmo  preparations  are  used  for  bunkers,  floors  under  boilers, 
tank  tops,  bilges,  deck  holds,  peaks,  funnels,  and  other  parts  of 
ships.  In  a  few  cases  they  are  applied  on  wood,  but  they  are  essen- 
tially intended   to  be   applied   on  metal.     With   a  bitmo  solution 


DANGER  IX  USE   OF   LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING  OF  BUILDINGS.        57 

an  undercoating  of  red  lead  is  not  required,   and  by  using  these 

f reparations  it  is  possible  to  dispense  with  the  use  of  lead  entirely 
or  the  painting  of  iron  or  steel  work.  The  bituminous  coating  is 
entirely  leadless,  and  contains  no  lead  driers  or  turpentine.  It  is 
substantially  a  carbon  paint  which  is  rust  proof,  damp  proof,  and 
not  affected  by  sulphur  or  acid  fumes.  It  takes  three  or  four  hours 
to  dry  in  an  ordinary  room,  but  somewhat  longer  in  an  inclosed 
space.  The  composition  is  stated  to  stand  well  in  exposed  posi- 
tions and  is  being  tried  on  one  of  the  high  steel  bridges  over  the 
Tyne.  The  covering  power  of  the  composition  is  said  to  be  twice 
that  of  lead  paint;  it  costs  about  3.3s.  (SS.52)  per  'hundredweight 
ready  for  use.  The  witness  gave  a  long  list  of  firms  who  have  ex- 
pressed satisfaction  with  the  bitmo  comnositions  and  have  given  repeat 
orders  (Q.  19267). 

CONSULTANTS  TO  PAINT  MANUFACTURERS. 

Mr.  J.  Cruickshank  Smith,  D.  Sc.  (Aberdeen),  F.  C.  S.,  member  of 
the  Society  of  Chemical  Industry,  member  of  the  International 
Testing  Association,  past  president  of  the  Paint  and  Varnish  Society, 
and  author  of  a  number  of  books  and  papers  on  the  manufacture  of 
paints,  dealt  with  the  uses  of  and  constitution  of  paints.  He  spoke 
of  the  essential  difference  between  lead  and  zinc  pigments,  involving 
different  methods  of  treatment;  he  did  not  consider  that  it  would 
necessarily  be  more  difficult  to  use  zinc  paints  than  lead,  but  some 
change  in  the  painter's  methods  would  be  requisite,  and  failures 
with  zinc  paints  frequently,  result  from  employment  of  unsuitable 
vehicles  and  driers;  he  thought  some  of  the  difficulties  might  be 
oino  by  sending  out  zinc  paints  in  a  semithinned  state. 

So  far  as  protective  painting  goes — painting  on  iron  and  steel — 
the  witness  said  unhesitatingly  that  he  had  found  zinc  paints  to 
give  much  better  results  than  white  lead;  on  wood  he  considered 
it  possible  to  manipulate  zinc  pigments  in  such  a  way  as  probably 
to  give  as  good  results  as  white  lead,  but  it  is  not  an  easy  problem. 
White  lead  holds  its  own,  especially  as  a  most  excellent  priming  for 
woodwork;  on  plaster  walls  he  considered  lead  to  be  inferior  to 
zinc  suitably  prepared.  Summing  up,  he  considered  zinc  oxide 
all  round  superior  to  lead  for  interior  painting  and  also  for  outside 
work  if  due  regard  be  paid  to  the  vehicle;  the  cost  of  using  zinc 
jpainte  might  bo  a  little  more  than  for  lead  paints.  The  witness 
was  of  opinion  that  it  should  be  made  compulsory  to  notify  cases 
of  lead  poisoning  amongst  painters;  to  label  all  packages  containing 
paints  with  more  than  10  per  cent  of  lead  compounds,  and  to  take 
precautions  to  prevent  inhalation  of  dust  containing  lead.  He 
could  not  offer  any  practical  suggestions  as  he  was  a  purely  scientific 
expert  witness,  but  he  considered  that  in  the  interests  01  health  it 
was  essential  either  to  prohibit  the  use  of  lead  or  to  require  the 
observance  of  regulations. 

Mr.  Charles  A.  Line  stated  that  he  had  studied  the  subject  of  the 
use  of  lead  paints  more  particularly  during  the  last  10  years.  He 
was  the  founder  of  the  original  firm  of  John  Line  &  Sons,  but 
ed  to  have  any  share  in  the  business  about  I  7  years  ago,  although 
he  is  still  constantly  consulted  by  them  with  regard  to  paint  ques- 
tions. He  has  also  been  consulted  by  architects  and  consulting 
engineers  in  Birmingham  and  elsewhere,     lie  stated   that  ho  was 


58  BULLETIN    OP   THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

not  financially  interested  in  any  make  of  paints.  He  considered 
that  zinc  sulphide  could  be  used  with  advantage  for  all  undercoats 
and  all  interior  work,  while  for  exterior  work  he  would  apply  varnish 
over  it  or  add  varnish  to  the  last  coat;  zinc  oxide  with  the  right 
thinners  gives  a  very  durable  paint,  and  a  mixture  of  zinc  oxide 
and  graphite  gives  an  extremely  durable  protective  coating  for  iron 
and  steel.  The  vehicle  used  in  making  up  a  paint  is  of  much  more 
importance  than  the  pigment;  thus  the  oils  and  driers  commonly 
used  for  lead  are  not  suitable  for  zinc  paints;  Mr.  Line  advocates 
pale  drying  oil,  a  small  proportion  of  linoleate  or  borate  of  manganese 
being  introduced  into  the  oil  in  the  course  of  manufacture. ^ 

Zinc  sulphide  costs  about  the  same  as  lead,  but  the  bulk  is  double 
and  the  covering  power  better.  Priming  coats  of  lead  paint  are 
not  necessary  before  the  application  of  zinc  paints;  there  are  advan- 
tages in  using  a  modified  water  paint  to  produce  a  hard  foundation 
on  which  to  apply  zinc  paints. 

Mr.  Line  admitted  that  some  lithopone  is  of  very  inferior  quality;  a 
good  zinc  sulphide  paint  should  contain  a  far  larger  proportion  of 
zinc  sulphide  than  that  found  in  cheap  lithopone  paints.  For  a 
white  finishing  .co at  the  witness  would  use  a  good  zinc  oxide,  which 
is  readily  obtainable  and  is  suitable  for  finishing  either  with  an 
enamel  surface  or  a  flat  surface. 

The  witness  gave  a  number  of  examples  of  houses  painted  with 
zinc  paints  showing  the  very  great  durability  of  these  when  properly 
prepared  and  applied.  The  zinc  paints  are  made  by  most  paint 
grinders  in  England  from  imported  lithopone  or  zinc  oxide.  In 
the  witness's  opinion  if  the  demand  for  zinc  oxide  was  increased, 
capital  would  be  found  for  its  manufacture  in  England,  and  the 
increased  demand  would  not  increase  the  price  because  of  the 
competition  with  zinc  sulphide.  Mr.  Line  did  not  think  that  the 
prohibition  of  the  use  of  lead  in  paints  would  entail  any  serious 
difficulties. 

With  regard  to  priming  coats  of  paint  on  woodwork,  a  surface 
can  be  obtained  without  tne  use  of  lead  b}T  a  variety  of  substances, 
such  as  the  wood  fillers  in  use  in  America. 

Mr.  Line  also  gave  evidence  regarding  colored  paints  obtainable 
without  the  use  of  lead,  and  stated  that  their  use  would  entail  no 
increase  in  the  cost  of  painting.  The  witness  stated  that  he  did 
not  know  of  any  tints  or  colors  which,  for  decorative  purposes, 
can  not  be  obtained  without  the  use  of  lead. 

CHEMISTS. 

Professor  Baly,  fellow  of  the  Institute  of  Chemistry,  of  the  Royal 
Society,  and  of  the  Chemical  Society  of  London,  and  at  present 
Grant  Professor  of  Inorganic  Chemistry  in  the  University  of  Liver- 
pool, first  attended  before  the  committee  on  March  28,  1911,  and 
gave  details  of  a  very  important  research  which  led  him  to  the 
conclusion  that  volatile  lead  compounds  were  given  off  during  the 
drying  of  paints  containing  white  lead.  In  the  course  of  further 
evidence,  however,  given  by  Prof.  Baly  on  February  21,  1012,  he 
stated  that  further  experiments  had  satisfied  him  that  these  emana- 
tions did  not  contain  volatile  compounds  of  lead.     He  had  himself 


DANGER  IN  USE  OF  LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.        59 

suffered  from  some  form  of  poisoning  at  the  time  of  making  the 
first  experiments,  and  the  doctors  had  misled  him  by  diagnosing  that 
illness  as  lead  poisoning.  Since  that  time  he  has  pursued  his  investi- 
gation very  much  further  and  has  condensed  the  emanations,  which 
are  undoubtedly  poisonous  although  they  do  not  contain  lead. 
Professor  Baly  made  comparative  experiments  with  lead  sulphate 
and  zinc  white  and  found  practically  no  condensable  emanation 
from  either.  The  poisonous  emanation  which  comes  off  from  white 
lead  paste  is  probably  an  oxidized  product  of  linseed  oil,  and  the 

Eoisonous  effects  may  be  due  to  the  presence  of  unsaturated  alde- 
ydes.  These  poisonous  aldehydic  compounds  are  also  given  off 
from  linseed  oil  with  manganese  dioxide.  The  use  of  driers  increases 
the  amount  of  these  emanations,  which  are  always  found  with 
white  lead  paint.  They  come  off  from  white  lead  much  more  freely 
than  from  zinc  white,  and  the  poisoning  effect  produced  by  them 
is  similar  to  that  associated  with  lead  poisoning  although  the  illness 
is  not  really  lead  poisoning. 

THE  ADMIRALTY  CHEMIST. 

Mr.  Arnold  Philip,  the  admiralty  chemist,  stationed  at  H.  M. 
dockyard,  Portsmouth,  attended  to  give  evidence  as  to  the  use  of 
paints  in  the  British  nayy.  The  admiralty  have  for  some  time 
recognized  the  dangers  attaching  to  the  use  of  lead  paints,  and  have 
taken  precautions  accordingly.  Red  oxide  of  iron  has  replaced  red 
lead  on  double  bottoms  for  a  considerable  period,  and  the  iron 
casings  of  boilers  are  now  coated  with  oxide  of  iron  paint  instead 
of  red  lead;  the  red  oxide  paint  consists  of  red  oxide  of  iron  in  boiled 
linseed  oil  with  a  proportion  of  driers  representing  less  than  1  per 
cent  of  lead  oxide. 

Zinc  white  paints  also  have  been  introduced,  partly  as  a  substitute 
for  white  Lead  in  the  interior  spaces  and  quite  recently  as  enamels  for 
the  inside  of  cabins  in  the  place  of  white  lead  paints.  The  use  of  zinc 
white  has  greatly  increased  in  the  navy  during  recent  years;  for  oyer 
10  years  mixtures  of  zinc  and  lead  paints  have  been  used  extensively. 
As  regards  painting  work  inside  cabins,  zinc  white  enamels  have  been 
found  to  wear  a  great  deal  better  than  lead  paints.  They  also  on 
the  whole  retain  their  color  better.  Although  the  first  cost  of  a  , 
white  enamel  is  greater  than  that  of  a  white  lead  paint,  the  former  is 
so  much  more  durable  that  in  the  end  it  is  more  economical.  So  far 
the  general  use  of  zinc  paints  has  been  confined  to  interior  work,  for 
which  they  have  proved  entirely  satisfactory.  In  Mr.  Philip's  opinion 
the  widespread  belief  that  lead  paints  are  the  best  is  due  to  their 
haying  a  much  longer  history  than  zinc  paints.  The  exterior  paint- 
ing in  the  navy  is  almost  entirely  done  on  metal  with  white  lead 
si  lined  with  lamp  black  to  the  standard  grey  tint.  The  durability 
of  the  paint  is  not  an  important  factor,  a  the  service  allowance  of 
paint  is  about  eight  coals  per  annum,  and  therefore  the  outside  paint 
does  not  weather  off;  repainting  is  resorted  to  as  soon  as  any  of  the 
paint  is  damaged  mechanically.  In  view  of  this  fact,  Mr.  Philip's 
opinion  is  that  leadless  paints  would  be  equally  serviceable  foi 
outside  painting. 


60  BULLETIN   OF   THE   BUBEAU   OF   LABOB   STATISTICS. 

SUPERINTENDING  CHEMIST  OF  THE  GOVERNMENT  LABORATORY. 

Mr.  Grant  Hooper,  F.  I.  C,  F.  C.  S.,  is  superintending  chemist  of 
the  Government  laboratory.  He  gave  evidence  as  representing  Dr. 
Dobbie,  principal  chemist  of  the  Government  laboratory,  in  regard 
to  questions  affecting  the  estimation  of  the  proportion  of  lead  in  paints. 

He  stated  that  if  the  committee  decided  to  recommend  the  restric- 
tion of  the  amount  of  lead  to,  say,  not  more  than  5  per  cent  in  paints, 
there  would  be  no  difficulty  in  determining  the  proportion  by  analysis 
of  any  given  sample  of  paint. 

Further,  if  the  committee  were  to  recommend  restriction  in  terms 
of  soluble  lead,  estimated  in  a  manner  similar  to  that  in  which  the 
soluble  lead  in  pottery  glazes  is  determined,  there  would  be  no  diffi- 
culty in  devising  a  plan  for  the  determination  of  soluble  lead;  in  such 
a  test  it  would  be  necessary  to  prepare  first  the  dry  substance  of  the 
paint,  in  other  words  to  free  it  from  oil  or  vehicle,  just  as  a  pottery 
glaze  has  to  be  freed  from  the  water  with  which  it  is  mixed;  thereafter 
the  determination  would  proceed  on  the  same  lines  as  in  the  case  of  a 
pottery  glaze  material.  The  most  convenient  way  to  express  the 
solubility  is  in  terms  of  lead  monoxide.  The  solubility  of  ordinary 
white  lead  estimated  in  this  manner  is  1 00  per  cent;  a  5  per  cent  limit 
for  soluble  lead  would  therefore  only  permit  5  per  cent  of  white  lead 
being  used  in  a  paint.  Other  lead  compounds,  for  example  lead  sul- 
phate, are  not  so  readily  soluble,  and  therefore  the  5  per  cent  limit  of 
soluble  lead  would  permit  of  a  freer  use  of  such  compounds — as  much 
as  20  per  cent  in  the  case  of  lead  sulphate.  The  solubility  limit  would, 
therefore,  encourage  the  use  of  less  soluble  forms  of  lead,  which  is  a 
desirable  result  from  the  standpoint  of  health. 

Mr.  Grant  Hooper  next  dealt  with  certain  colored  paints.  He 
stated  that  he  had  estimated  the  lead  in  a  range  of  dark  green  paints 
and  found  them  to  contain  6  to  18  per  cent  of  lead,  all  soluble;  the  5 
per  cent  limit  would  restrict  the  use  of  lead  in  such  paints,  but  part 
at  least  of  the  lead  chromato  in  such  paints  could  be  replaced  by  zinc 
chromate  at  a  not  very  serious  increase  in  price. 

Mr.  Grant  Hooper  suggested  a  form  of  words  for  setting  forth  such 
a  solubility  limit,  namely: 

After  the clay  of no  paint  or  wash  shall  he  sold  or  used  for  coloring,  coating, 

or  protecting  any  wood,  stone,  metal,  or  any  building,  or  construction,  or  part  of  any 
building  or  construction,  unless  such  paint  or  wash  is  free  from  lead  and  loud  com- 
pounds, or  unless  when  tested  in  the  manner  described  below  it  shall  not  yield  more 
than  a  definite  proportion  (say,  5  per  cent)  of  soluble  lead  or  lead  compounds  calcu- 
lated as  a  percentage  of  lead  monoxide  on  the  dry  substance  of  the  paint  or  wash.  _  By 
"dry  substance"  is  meant  the  paint  or  wash  substance  dry  and  free  from  turpentine, 
oil,  varnish,  and  varnish  material,  gelatine,  size,  and  other  fluid  or  adhesive  or  water- 
proofing material. 

He  also  suggested  the  following  as  the  prescribed  method  of  testing: 

.'•/r  (hod  of  testing.— It  the  paint  or  wash  be  mixed  with  water,  turpentine,  oil,  var- 
nish, size  or  other  adhesive  or  waterproofing  substance,  it  shall  first  of  all  be  freed  as 
far  as  possible  from  such  vehicle  or  adhesive  or  waterproofing  substance  by  drying  or 
by  treatment  with  ether,  petroleum  spirit,  alcohol,  water,  or  other  neutral  solvent  or 
solvents.  If  the  residual  substance  so  obtained  should  contain  insoluble  varnish 
matter,  size,  or  other  adhesive  material  which  can  not  be  removed  except  by  the  action 
of  reagents  which  affed  the  other  constituents  of  1he  paint  or  wash,  then  the  propor- 
tion of  such  varnish  matter,  size,  or  other  adhesive  material  shall  be  ascertained  by 
suitable  moans,  and  a  deduction  be  made  for  the  same  from  the  weight  of  residual 
matter  taken  for  the  determination  of  the  soluble  lead,  so  that  the  proportion  of  soluble 
lead  found  to  be  present  shall  be  calculated  as  a  percentage  on  the  dry  substance  free 


DANGER  IN  USE   OF  LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.        61 

from  varnish  matter,  size,  etc.  For  the  determination  of  the  soluble  lead,  a  weighed 
quantity  of  the  dried  or  dry  material,  freed  as  far  as  possible  from  oil,  or  other  vehicle, 
or  adhesive  substance,  as  described  above,  is  to  be  continuously  shaken  for  one  hour| 
at  the  common^  temperature,  with  1,000  times  its  weight  of  an  aqueoua  solution  of 
hydrochloric  acid  containing  0.25  per  cent  of  actual  or  real  hydrochloric  acid.  This 
solution  is  thereafter  to  be  allowed  to  stand  for  one  hour  and" to  be  passed  through  a 
filter.  _  The  lead  salt  contained  in  an  aliquot  portion  of  the  clear  filtrate  is  then  to  be 
precipitated  as  lead  sulphide  and  weighed  as  lead  sulphate. 

He  pointed  out  that  both  of  these  forms  of  words  might  be  some- 
what modified  in  the  light  of  further  experience.  In  practice  no 
doubt  ready-made  paints  would  be  bought  under  a  guarantee  that 
they  did  not  contain  more  than  5  per  cent  of  soluble  lead,  and  the 
necessary  testing  of  samples  could  be  done  either  by  local  authorities 
or  by  the  Government  laboratory. 

Further  questioned  as  regards  red  paints,  Mr.  Hooper  suggested 
that  they  could  be  made  either  with  oxide  of  iron  or  with  vermilion; 
the  great  cost  of  the  latter  pigment  has  led  to  the  introduction  of 
many  vermilionettes,  which  the  witness  suggested  could  be  probably 
replaced  by  aluminium  lakes. 

THE  PRINCIPAL  CHEMIST  OF  THE  GOVERNMENT  LABORATORY. 

Dr.  J.  J.  Dobbie,  principal  chemist  of  the  Government  laboratory, 
was  good  enough,  at  the  request  of  the  committee,  to  make  a  careful 
investigation  into  the  conflicting  statements  which  had  been  put 
forward  with  regard  to  the  existence  of  lead  vapors  in  air  which  has 
been  in  contact  with  surfaces  freshly  painted  with  lead  paint.1  The 
statements  regarding  emanations  containing  lead  which  were  pub- 
lished in  the  report  of  the  French  white  lead  committee  of  1907,  were 
based  largely  on  the  use  of  Trillat's  reagent.  The  first  part  of  Dr. 
Dobbie's  investigation  dealt  with  the  use  of  this  reagent,  which  he 
reports  as  being  unreliable  on  account  of  the  extreme  difficulty  to 
insure  the  absence  of  all  traces  of  peroxides  and  other  oxidizing  agents 
which  have  the  power  of  reacting  with  it  to  give  a  blue  color.  As  a 
means  of  estimating  small  quantities  of  lead,  he  found  it  altogether 
unsatisfactory.  In  the  next  place,  Dr.  Dobbie  endeavored  to  repro- 
duce the  experiments  of  MM.  Heim  and  Hebcrt  described  in  Appendix 
XV  to  the  French  report.  Experiments  on  these  lines  carried  out  at 
the  Government  laboratory  with  special  precautions  entirely  failed 
to  confirm  MM.  Heim  and  Hebert's  results. 

A  further  investigation  into  the  possibility  of  vapors  containing 
lead  being  produced  as  a  result  of  reactions  which  go  on  during  the 
drying  of  lead  paints  made  up  with  oil  and  turpentine  were  carried 
out  on  lines  similar  to  those  described  by  Mr.  Klein  in  his  experiment 
No.  5.  _  A  box  was  constructed  with  partitions  so  arranged  that  air 
flrawn  in  at  one  end  must  pass  between  the  adjacent  partitions,  hav- 
ing a  total  area  of  some  100  square  feet,  before  leaving  at  the  other. 
Various  mixtures  of  white  lead  with  linseed  oil  or  turpentine  or  both, 
6nd  in  some  cases  driers  in  addition,  were  applied  to  the  partitions 
and  air  was  passed  through  until  the  paint  was  dry.  The  air  drawn 
over  the  partitions  was  carried  first  through  cotton  wool  plugs  and 
then  through  absorption  bulbs.  As  long  as  the  cotton  wool  plug 
employed  was  of  the  usual  length,  3  inches,  lead  could  always  be 

1  See  evidence  of  Prof.  Baly,  p.  5*;  Mr.  Klein,  p.  100;  end  Trof.  Armstrong,  p.  93. 


62  BULLETIN    OF    THE    BUREAU    OF    LABOR    STATISTICS. 

detected  in  the  absorption  bulbs  as  well  as  in  the  cotton  wool.  By 
introducing  a  sufficient  number  of  cotton  wool  plugs  the  whole  of  the 
lend  could  be  trapped  therein,  no  trace  of  the  metal  being  detectable 
in  the  absorption  apparatus.  These  experiments  show  that  a  cur- 
rent of  air  which  has  been  passed  over  a  surface  freshly  painted  with 
had  paint  contains  traces  of  lead  which,  however,  is  not  present  as  a 
7apor,  but  in  the  form  of  minute  solid  particles. 

Dr.  Dobbie  adds  further  that  "whatever  the  form  in  which  it  exists 
in  the  air,  it  is  certain  that  the  quantity  is  so  small  as  to  be  negligible 
for  all  practicable  purposes,"  and  points  out  that  according  to  the 
statement  of  the  French  observers  in  their  report  the  quantities  of 
lead  obtained  by  them  must  have  been  similarly  minute. 

The  conclusions  arrived  at  from  the  above  experiments  were  con- 
firmed by  spectroscopic  examination  of  air  exposed  to  freshly  painted 
surfaces.~  Lead  forms  several  wTcll-known  volatile  compounds  whose 
vapors,  when  present  in  even  very  minute  quantity,  exercise  a  power- 
ful absorptive  action  on  light.  A  layer  of  air  4  feet  thick  in  contact 
with  a  surface  freshly  painted  with  a  mixture  of  white  lead  and  oil 
showed  not  the  least  trace  of  absorption.  Dr.  Dobbie  concludes, 
therefore,  that  "if  emanations  of  lead  take  place  from  painted  sur- 
faces, the  amount  is  so  small  as  not  to  be  detectable''  (Q.  22497). 

Dr.  Dobbie  also  carried  out  a  series  of  distillation  experiments  simi- 
lar to  those  described  by  Mr.  Klein,  but  on  a  larger  scale,  the  result 
entirely  confirming;  those  obtained  by  Mr.  Klein.1 

In  connection  with  the  poisonous  character  of  vapors  given  off  by 
turpentine,  Dr.  Dobbie  pointed  out  that  in  the  experiments  with 
air  which  has  been  drawn  over  newly  painted  surfaces,  he  always 
found  present  in  the  absorption  apparatus  traces  of  acid  and  alde- 
hyde as  well  as  considerable  quantities  of  terpin  hydrate.  The  acid 
and  aldehyde  might  be  derived  either  from  the  oil  or  from  the  tur- 
pentine or  from  both.  In  view,  however,  of  spectroscopic  observa- 
tions made,  Dr.  Dobbie  states  it  is  doubtful  if  any  considerable  amount 
of  decomposition  of  the  oil  occurs  under  1G0°  F.,  and  he  is  therefore 
inclined  to  the  view  that  the  turpentine  is  the  source  of  nearly  all  t lie 
decomposit  ion  products  observed.  Ho  found,  however,  that  boiled  oil 
alone,  a  mixture  of  white  lead  and  linseed  oil,  and  a  mixture  of  zinc 
oxide  and  linseed  oil  gave  off  aldehyde  vapors  at  the  ordinary  tem- 
iture;  the  amount  in  each  case  is  very  small,  and  he  could  n<  I 
whether  it  is  greater  in  one  case  than  in  the  other. 

In  further  examination,  Dr.  Dobbie  expressed  the  view  that  if  all 
processes  which  cause  dust  in  lead  painting  could  be  abolished  that 
would  do  away  with  direct  lead  poisoning.  lie  produced  a  small  par- 
ticle of  metallic  lead  of  about  one-seventh  or  one-eighth  of  the  size 
of  an  ordinary  pin's  head,  and  stated  that  that  was  the  total  quantity 
of  lead  which  it  was  found  possible  to  collect  from  the  air  drawn  over 
some  three-quarters  of  a  hundredweight  of  paint  which  had  been 
dried  in  the  apparatus  during  the  40  days  that  the  experiment  lasted. 
This  amount  of  lead  in  the  air  represented  very  much  less  than  a 
medicinal  dose  of  lead;  it  is  about  a  thirtieth  of  a  minimum  dose 
that  is  given  medicinally  in  cases  of  severe  diarrhea,  for  instance. 

1  See  Mr.  Klein's  evidence,  p.  100. 


DANGEK  IN"  USE   OF  LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.        63 

SIR  HENRY  CUNYNGHAME,  K.  C.  B. 

Sir  Henry  H.  S.  Cunynghame,  K.  0.  B.,  Legal  Assistant  Under- 
secretary of  State  for  the  Home  Department,  has  devoted  con- 
siderable attention  to  the  question  of  lead  poisoning  arising  from  the 
use  of  lead  paints.  He  considered  the  evil  to  be  a  very  serious  one 
and  a  remediable  one.  Some  action  is  undoubtedly  called  for  either 
in  the  way  of  prohibition  or  restriction  of  the  use  01  lead  or  by  a  code 
of  regulations. 

In  France  a  law  was  passed  on  July  20,  1909,  to  come  into  force 
five  years  later,  prohibiting  the  use  of  white  lead  in  any  painting  opera- 
tions either  on  the  exterior  or  interior  of  buildings.  This  is  the  most 
drastic  enactment  yet  made  in  regard  to  the  lead-poisoning  evil. 

In  Austria  the  use  of  lead  for  interior  painting  has  been  prohibited 
since  the  1st  of  April,  1909,  but  it  is  still  permitted  for  exterior  work 
and  certain  specific  purposes  under  a  very  strict  code  of  regulations, 
which  include  ventilation,  washing  and  dressing  rooms,  marking  of 
vessels  containing  lead  paint,  prohibition  of  the  employment  of  women 
and  young  persons ;  overalls  are  prescribed  and  in  certain  cases  medi- 
cal examination. 

In  Germany  there  is  an  order,  applying  to  all  States  of  the  German 
Empire  equally,  which  enacts  that  workers  are  not  directly  to  handle 
dry  pigments  containing  lead;  the  grinding  of  white  lead  with  oil  or 
varnish  is  not  to  be  done  by  hand;  the  processes  of  rubbing  down  or 
puinice-s toning  of  oil  color  or  stopping  not  clearly  free  from  lead  shall 
not  be  done  except  after  damping;  the  employer  must  see  that  over- 
alls are  worn  and  must  also  provide  washing  utensils,  nailbrushes, 
soap,  and  towels;  the  employer  is  charged  to  give  information  to 
workers  who  handle  lead  colors  as  to  the  danger  to  health,  and  he  must 
give  them  a  copy  of  a  warning  pamphlet;  there  are  further  regula- 
tions which  apply  only  to  painting  operations  carried  out  in  connec- 
tion with  another  industry.  It  is  also  required  that  the  employer 
shall  issue  regulations  which  shall  be  binding  on  the  workers.  These 
must  include  the  prohibition  of  the  consumption  of  spirits  in  any 
place  where  work  is  carried  on;  the  prohibition  of  taking  food  or 
drink  in  a  place  where  paints  are  kept  or  used;  and  the  prohibition 
of  leaving  the  place  of  employment  until  they  have  put  off  working 
clothes  and  carefully  washed  their  hands.  The  wearing  of  working 
clothes  is  to  be  made  compulsory  and  the  smoking  of  cigars  and  cigar- 
ettes is  prohibited  during  work.  With  these  is  coupled  the  provision 
that  any  worker  who,  after  repeated  warnings,  continues  to  break 
the  rules  may  be  dismissed  without  notice,  any  contract  notwith- 
standing. Provision  is  also  to  be  made  for  medical  supervision  of 
the  worker's  health. 

In  Belgium  the  principal  regulations  arc  those  prohibiting  the  sale 
of  white  lead  in  the  form  of  dry  powder  and  the  prohibition  of  dry 
rubbing  down  and  pumicing  of  surfaces  if  there  is  lend  in  the  paint. 

In  commenting  on  all  these  foreign  enactments,  Sir  Henry  said  he 
bad  always  been  of  opinion  that  it  sufficient  care  is  taken  you  can 
almost  any  ingredient  quite  safely  by  forbidding  it  where  it  is 
unnecessary,  and,  if  it  is  allowed  at  all,  putting  it  under  strict  regula- 
tion (Q.  10298).  Such  an  enactment  as  the  prohibition  of  white 
lead  for  any  purpose  in  paint  would  be  easy  to  enforce.  On  the  whole, 
Sir  Henry  advocated  a  combination  of  prohibition   and   regulation. 


64  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR    STATISTICS. 

If  the  use  of  certain  paints  is  prohibited,  power  should  be  given  to 
the  proper  authority  to  add  to  the  schedule  from  time  to  tune  any 
other  paints  which  prove  to  be  equally  dangerous.  A  regulation 
making  it  illegal  to  sell  white  lead  unless  it  was  marked  as  white  lead 
would  dc  useful.  In  any  code  intended  to  apply  to  the  painting  of 
buildings  the  term  "bunding"  should  be  defined  so  that  it  would 
include,  for  example,  conservatories,  but  not  necessarily  a  chicken 
house  or  a  dog  kennel;  Sir  Henry  suggested  as  a  definition  of  a  build- 
ing "any  place  in  which  there  is  a  door  which  a  man  can  enter." 
Special  exemptions  might  be  necessary  in  regard  to  certain  articles 
made  in  factories,  artistic  work,  portraits,  and  the  like,  and  possibly 
also  ships  and  boats,  though  Sir  Henry  believed  that  for  these  pur- 
poses zinc  white  is  better  than  white  lead.  The  witness  stated  he 
had  found  zinc  white  giving  excellent  results  for  interior  painting; 
for  this  and  many  other  purposes  he  thought  lead  ought  to  be  pro- 
hibited. It  might  be  necessary  to  provide  exemptions  for  exposed 
paint  work  not  protected  by  varnish  in  places  wiiere  the  atmosphere 
contains  an  abnormal  amount  of  sulphurous  acid,  but  Sir  Henry 
strongly  advocated  the  rule  "no  white  lead  for  interiors  or  exteriors," 
coupled  with  the  provision  for  the  Home  Office  to  grant  exemptions 
in  cases  where  it  was  shown  to  be  absolutely  necessary,  e.  g.,  for  the 
safety  of  girders  or  gutters  in  railway  stations  and  the  like,  to  use 
white  lead;  where,  however,  any  such  exemption  was  granted  it 
should  be  accompanied  with  a  full  code  of  regulations  applicable  to 
the  use  of  lead  paint. 

Sir  Henry  was  not  in  favor  of  a  5  per  cent  limit  of  soluble  lead,  as 
he  did  not  believe  that  it  was  necessary  to  put  lead  in  the  paint;  he 
woidd  prefer  total  prohibition  with  exemptions  in  certain  cases;  the 
exemption  up  to  a  5  per  cent  limit  might  be  granted  if  asked  for. 

Sir  Henry  recognized  the  exceptional  climatic  conditions  of  sucn 
places  as  Manchester,  but  said  further  that  he  had  not  made  any  pro- 
found study  of  substitutes  for  white  lead  and  thought  it  very  probable 
that  efficient  substitutes  might  be  found  for  use  even  in  bad  atmos- 
pheres; he  thought  that  in  any  case  exemptions  should  only  be  given 
for  a  few  years.  In  any  case  the  prohibition  of  the  use  of  lead  should 
be  accompanied  with  a  time  limit,  to  allow  painters  to  learn  the  use 
of  zinc  paints.  In  connection  with  prohibition,  materials  should  be 
considered  leadless  if  they  only  contain  a  trace,  say  0.01  per  cent  of 
lead;  Sir  Henry  admitted,  however,  that  it  might  be  expedient  to 
allow  3  or  4  per  cent  so  as  not  to  exclude  zinc  oxide  made  by  the  direct 
process,  but  this  he  woidd  prefer  to  do  by  schedule,  which  could  be 
amended  from  time  to  time.  He  would  advocate  the  prohibition  of 
the  making  of  white  lead  for  the  purpose  of  paint  as  well  as  the  sale 
and  use  thereof  for  that  purpose.  He  thought  the  admission  of  up 
to  5  per  cent  would  involve  administrative  difficulties,  but  it  might 
have  to  be  allowed  where  it  was  shown  to  be  necessary. 

WITNESSES  REPRESENTING  H.  M.  OFFICE  OF  WOIIKS. 

Mr.  G.  D.  Patterson  first  attended  to  give  evidence  before  the  com- 
mittee on  March  28,  1911,  he  being  at  that  time  clerk  of  works  in 
charge  of  the  West  London  district.  He  stated  that  he  had  carried 
out  extensive  experiments  with  substitutes  for  lead  paints,  under  the 
direction  of  the  principal  architect,  Sir  Henry  Tanner,  to  whom  is 


DANGEB  IX  USE  OF  LEAD  IN  THE  PAINTING  OF  BUILDINGS.   65 

intrusted  the  supervision  of  the  palaces,  the  Houses  of  Parliament, 
Government  offices,  Crown  courts,  post  offices,  inland  revenue  offices 
in  England  and  Wales,  and  foreign  consulates  throughout  the  world. 
Three  grades  of  paint  are  used  by  the  office  of  works,  namely: 

(1)  Low  grade  paints  for  external  painting  and  "  lower 

class  of  internals  " ; 

(2)  Medium  quality  enamels  for  ''general  internals"; 

(3)  Best  enamels  for  the  better-class  rooms  only. 

In  each  class  he  stated  that  he  found  the  relative  characteristics  of 
lead  and  zinc  paints  the  same,  and  he  found  the  prices  of  lead  and  zinc 
approximately  the  same  for  the  same  quality  of  paint.  He  stated 
that  lead  paints  have  other  defects  besides  involving  risk  of  poison- 
ing, inasmuch  as  they  are  discolored  by  sulphur  in  the  atmosphere, 
they  chalk  in  chemical  and  seaside  atmospheres,  and  they  have  a  great 
tendency  to  blister  and  scale  on  hot  pipes  and  surfaces  (see  Q.  1059). 

He  experienced  considerable  difficulty  in  obtaining  nonpoisonous 
substitutes  for  lead  at  first;  he  obtained  zinc  oxide  paints  from  the 
usual  paint  makers,  but  found  they  required  different  treatment  to  the 
white  lead  paints  previously  used.  It  was  soon  discovered  that  diffi- 
culties of  drying  could  be  overcome  by  using  refined  boiled  linseed  oil 
with  manganese  borate  driers  and  a  trace  only  of  litharge ;  and  sufficient 
opacity  could  be  obtained  by  using  thick  paints  containing  as  much  as 
60-70  per  cent  of  zinc  oxide ;  with  these  he  found  that  bare  plaster  walls 
could  be  painted  with  two  coats  of  zinc  paint  in  place  of  three  coats  of 
white  lead  paint.  Such  paints  have  been  used  generally  in  the  paint- 
ing of  Crown  buildings  since  1907,  the  use  of  lead  being  confined  to  the 
small  proportion  needed  for  priming  on  new  work.  He  stated  that  he 
had  no  doubt  whatever  that  zinc  paints,  with  the  addition,  say,  of  5 
per  cent  of  lead  compounds,  could  absolutely  replace  all  lead  paints 
for  ordinary  use;  somewhat  more  than  5  per  cent  of  lead  compounds, 
however,  he  considered  necessary  for  dark  green  paints. 

Mr.  Patterson  laid  stress  on  the  importance  of  the  medium,  and 
stated  that  in  finishing  coats  a  certain  proportion  of  varnish  is  always 
specified  by  the  office  of  works;  notwithstanding  this  the  zinc  paints 
only  cost  the  same  as  the  corresponding  lead  paints.  He  said  there 
would  be  much  prejudice  to  meet  in  prohibiting  the  use  of  lead  paints, 
but  he  did  not  consider  such  a  step  would  entail  great  inconvenience 
nor  would  it  be  a  dangerous  one  to  the  trade.  Paints  containing  more 
than  5  per  cent  of  lead  could  certainly  be  prohibited  except  for  greens, 
for  which  a  limit  of  10  per  cent  should  be  allowed.     , 

Mr.  G.  D.  Patterson  was  recalled  in  November,  1911,  when  he  con- 
firmed his  previous  evidence  and  gave  certain  further  details.  With 
regard  to  the  proportion  of  varnish  in  the  medium  used  for  external 
paints,  namely,  1  of  varnish  to  3  of  oil  with  zinc  oxide  and  1  of  varnish 
to  2  of  oil  with  iron  oxide  and  other  dark  paints,  the  office  of  works 
e  the  paint  contractor  a  free  hand  in  this  matter  and  the  latter  uses 
whatever  proportion  of  varnish  and  driers  he  believes  to  be  best. 
The  addition  of  varnish  is  undoubtedly  of  material  use  in  securing 
durability.  Although  good  varnish  is  a  somewhat  costly  ingredient 
the  office  of  works  nave  found  zinc  paints,  even  with  the  varnish 
added,  no  more  costly  than  lead  paints.  vSome  of  the  lead  paints  pre- 
viously used  had  varnish  in  them  and  some  not;  zinc  paints  which 
25235°— Bull.  188—16 -5 


G6  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR    STATISTICS. 

with  the  varnish  have  cost  the  same  price  have  heen  found  as  good  in 
withstanding  weather  conditions,  better  in  appearance,  and  more  per- 
manent in  tint  than  the  lead  paints. 

To  confirm  the  statement  that  zinc  paints  are  not  more  costly,  Mr. 
Patterson  asked  for  quotations  for  lead  paints  from  a  number  of  the 
contractors. 

Firm  No.l  replied,  "The  price  of  our  lead  and  zinc  base  paints  is  the 
same  in  their  respective  brands." 

Firm  No.  2  stated  that  "the  difference  in  the  cost  per  gallon  would 
be  practically  nil  on  the  assumption  that  the  respective  covering 
powers  are  alike." 

Firm  No.  3  said  that  "  the  similar  paint  with  a  white  lead  base  would 
work  out  slightly  more  expensive  than  zinc,  the  price  of  lead  paint 
being  7s.  6(7.  ($1.82)  per  gallon  against  7s.  (S1.70)  for  the  zinc  paint." 

With  regard  to  specification,  pure  zinc  can  be  specified  in  place  of 
genuine  white  lead,  and  a  certain  percentage  of  other  ingredients, 
such  as  baryta,  gypsum,  silica,  or  whiting,  can  be  allowed  if  desired. 
The  office  of  works  only  use  a  flatting  paint  occasionally,  but  zinc 
paints  are  supplied  in  three  grades,  namely,  flat,  eggshell,  and  full 
gloss. 

The  office  of  works  had  been  asked  to  make  inquiries  with  regard 
to  the  allegations  appearing  in  Mr.  Wiltshier's  evidence  concerning 
the  painting  of  the  Canterbury  post  office:1  Mr.  Patterson  found  that 
the  statement  that  the  work  had  to  be  redone  within  a  year  was 
erroneous;  it  was  not  repainted  until  it  was  fully  clue  in  accordance 
with  the  board's  rules  that  new  work  should  be  repainted  two  or  three 
years  after  completion — a  rule  which  applied  equally  to  lead  paints. 
In  the  case  of  the  Canterbury  post  office  part  of  the  original  paint 
work  was  only  redone  after  4  years  and  the  rest  of  the  building  after  2  J 
years.  At  the  time  of  repainting  the  work  was  examined  by  the 
architect,  who  reported  that  the  state  of  the  old  paint  was  quite  as 
good  as  could  be  expected  after  3  years'  wear,  and  the  repainting  was 
done  in  pursuance  of  the  board's  order  that  new  work  should  always 
be  repainted  after  3  years  at  latest. 

Mr.  Patterson  reaffirmed  his  previous  statement  that  zinc  paints 
could  replace  lead  paints  without  loss  of  quality  or  increase  of  cost 
except  in  regard  to  green  paints,  for  which  in  the  present  state  of 
knowledge  he  would  like  to  be  free  to  use  10  per  cent  of  lead;  he  said, 
however,  there  were  indications  that  the  difficulty  of  getting  leadless 
greens  may  shortly  disappear.  Where  the  paint  is  used  under  excep- 
tionally trying  conditions,  as,  for  example,  in  the  greenhouses  at  Kew, 
both  lead  and  zinc  paints  have  been  found  equally  unsatisfactory. 

With  regard  to  the  length  of  the  office  of  works'  experience  with 
leadless  paints  Mr.  Patterson  stated  he  could  speak  personally  of 
about  5  or  6  years'  experience  with  leadless  paints  under  definite  and 
careful  observation;  he  had  found  the  results  quite  as  good  as  with 
lead  paints.  He  did  not  think  that  it  was  any  easier  for  the  office  of 
works  than  for  any  ordinary  firm  to  get  satisfactory  leadless  paints. 

Quest  ioned  in  regard  to  5  per  cent  of  soluble  lead  being  sufficient  to 
meet  the  requirements  of  yellows  and  greens,  Mr.  Patterson  said  the 
office  of  works  had  not  gone  into  the  matter  of  soluble  lead  as  con- 
trail (.(I  with  total  lead  contents.  The  office  of  works'  paints  are 
mixed  by  the  paint  manufacturer  to   the  office  of  works'  formula. 

I  Soe  p.  22. 


DANGER  IN  USE  OF  LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING   OF.  BUILDINGS.        67 

These  paints  are  bought  by  the  contractors  who  undertake  painting 
operations.  In  Mr.  Patterson's  opinion  the  experience  of  the  office  of 
works  is  sufficient  to  warrant  a  measure  of  prohibition  of  white  lead. 
The  office  of  works  tests  were  carried  out  on  wood  and  plaster  as  well 
as  on  iron. 

The  office  of  works  still  use  white  lead  partly  on  engineering  work 
which  is  not  under  the  control  of  the  principal  architect  and  partly  for 
fillings,  stoppings,  and  the  like.  Moreover,  owing  to  the  fact  that 
many  men  have  not  yet  become  accustomed  to  the  use  of  zinc  paints, 
lead  may  have  been  ordered  by  some  of  the  clerks  of  works;  the  latter 
are  instructed  to  specify  zinc  paints,  but  they  have  not  hitherto  been 
absolutely  prohibited  from  ordering  lead.  On  recent  work  use  of 
lead  for  tilling  has  been  dispensed  with. 

Mi'.  Patterson  was  again  recalled  on  November  14,  1912,  and  put  in 
tables  showing  details  of  the  early  experiments  made  by  the  office  of 
works  with  leadless  paints.  He  thought  that  these  oxpei  intents  were 
carefully  conducted;  the  actual  painting  was  carried  out  before  he 
was  associated  with  the  experiments,  but  the  condition  of  the  paint  at 
a  later  date  was  judged  by  three  clerks  of  works,  namely,  Mr.  Car- 
penter, Mr.  Jones,  and  himself. 

According  to  Sir  Henry  Tanner's  instructions,  a  big  experiment 
was  put  in  hand  as  soon  as  they  were  satisfied  that  the  smaller  experi- 
ments were  satisfactory.  The  five  blocks  of  the  post  office  savings 
bank  building  at  West  Kensington  were  used  for  the  large-scale  experi- 
ment, all  being  painted  externally  with  ivory  white  paint,  one  block 
white  lead,  and  the  other  four  blocks  different  zinc  oxide  paints.  Mr. 
Patterson  gave  details  of  this  important  experiment,  which  was  car- 
ried out  in  the  year  1906. 

Under  ordinary  circumstances  the  office  of  works'  painting  is 
expected  to  stand  in  good  condition  externally  for  four  years.  The 
result  of  the  examination  of  the  paint  in  1910  is  shown  in  Appendix 
XXV.1  The  results  obtained  with  the  zinc  paints  were  so  satisfactory 
that  the  office  of  works  have  continued  to  specify  for  such  paints  from 
1910  onwards. 

The  formula  now  in  use  differs  somewhat  from  the  formula  of  the 
paint  supplied  in  1906,  the  proportion  of  zinc  oxide  required  in  the 
paint  being  raised  to  5S  per  cent,  while  at  the  same  time  a  maximum  of 
not  more  than  5  per  cent  of  lead  is  now  allowed  in  zinc  paints,  whereas 
none  of  the  paints  used  in  1906  contained  more  than  a  trace.  Paints 
in  accordance  with  this  formula  are  now  used  exclusively  except  for 
priming  work. 

Mr.  Patterson  put  in  a  list  of  buildings  showing  the  kind  of  paint 
used  on  each,  and  dealt  with  the  instructions  issued  by  Sir  Henry 
Tanner  with  regard  to  the  disuse  of  lead  paints.  Most  of  the  paint 
work  is  done  for  the  ofiieo  of  works  by  triennial  contracts,  a  small 
part  only  (for  example,  Buckingham  Palace)  is  done  by  special 
decorating  contractors,  and  the  contractors  are  required  to  conform 
to  the  office  of  works'  rules  and  to  use  zinc  paints.  Contractors' 
paints  are  in  cases  of  doubt  analyzed. 

The  use  of  lead  for  priming  woodwork  has  been  discontinued 
since  May,  1912,  but  up  to  the  time  of  giving  evidence  lead  paints 
Were  still  in  use  for  pruning  iron  and  steel.  Tests  are  being  made 
with  leadless  materials  also  for  this  latter  purpose,     A  very  little 

1  In  Minutes  of  Evidence,  presented  in  a  separate  volume  of  the  original  report. 


68  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

lead  is  still  used  also  for  stoppings.  In  Mr.  Patterson's  opinion 
no  lead  need  be  used  in  fillings,  but  the  usual  10  per  cent  of  lead  in 
hard  stoppings  and  jointing  putty  is  useful. 

Questioned  with  regard  to  the  lead  said  by  a  previous  witness 
(Mr.  A.  R.  Rivet x)  to  have  been  supplied  to  depots  of  the  office  of 
works  in  the  London  district,  Mr.  Patterson  said  he  found  that  at 
the  large  London  depots  56 J  cwts.  of  lead  wore  accounted  for  as  hav- 
ing been  used  for  primings,  stoppings,  plumbers'  and  smiths'  work, 
joints  and  gutters,  carpenters'  sill  and  post  bedding,  and  small 
quantities  in  other  places  for  plumbers'  and  smiths'  work.  He 
considered  it  very  improbable  that  any  of  the  5  tons  of  lead  referred 
to  had  been  used  for  any  purpose  except  those  stated  above. 

It  is  the  considered  decision  of  the  office  of  works  that  nonpoison- 
ous  paints  containing  not  more  than  5  per  cent  of  lead  shall  be 
used  exclusively  except  for  iron  primings  and  for  green  colors.  He 
could  not  name  any  respect  in  which  it  would  be  harmful  to  restrict 
the  use  of  lead  to  not  more  than  5  per  cent,  subject  to  certain  ex- 
ceptions such  as  greens  if  found  necessary,  bej'ond  the  two  con- 
siderations that  it  might  add  a  little  to  the  cost  of  the  painting  and 
that  it  would  cause  a  little  trouble  to  working  painters  in  learning 
to  manipulate  zinc  paints. 

Sir  Henry  Tanner  also  attended  to  give  evidence  regarding  the 
experience  of  the  office  of  works.  He  is  principal  architect  for  Eng- 
land and  Wales,  and  is  further  charged  with  the  upkeep  of  the 
diplomatic  and  consular  buildings  abroad,  but  he  is  not  concerned 
with  public  buildings  in  Scotland  or  Ireland. 

He  has  had  upwards  of  40  years'  experience,  and  first  approached 
the  subject  of  ieadless  paints  from  a  humanitarian  point  of  view 
about  1901,  when  his  attention  was  called  to  the  subject  by  the 
Home  Office.  He  thought  it  would  be  very  desirable  to  get  rid 
of  poisonous  paints,  and  also  the  way  zinc  white  kept  its  color  would 
be  an  advantage.  After  some  tentative  experiments,  principally 
at  the  post  office,  a  more  systematic  trial  was  made  in  1904,  when 
some  50  paints  were  tried  on  the  roof  of  the  new  patent  office  library. 
Since  about  1905  the  experiments  have  been  thorough  and  syste- 
matic, and  have  been  supervised  by  Mr.  Patterson.2 

In  June,  1907,  a  general  instruction  was  issued  that  zinc  paints 
were  to  be  used.  This  instruction  should  be  obeyed  by  everyone 
under  Sir  Henry  Tanner's  jurisdiction,  and  in  his  opinion  it  has 
been  generally  observed.  Sir  Henry  thought  it  possible  that  the 
instruction  of  1907  might  have  been  disregarded  occasionally,  either 
through  inadvertence  or  prejudice. 

Sir  Henry  Tanner  is  satisfied  that  zinc  white  answers  their  pur- 
poses perfectly,  and  a  more  stringent  order  has  been  issued  forbidding 
the  use  of  lead  except  for  priming  on  iron  and  steel. 

No  systematic  record  is  kept  as  to  the  condition  of  paint  work 
after  exposure,  but  complaints  on  this  head  would  be  reported  to 
Sir  Henry,  and  he  stated  that  such  complaints  regarding  zinc  paints 
are  becoming  fewer.  The  usual  complaint  of  clerks  of  works  has 
been  that  the  paint  is  thin  or  will  not  cover  or  will  not  dry.  These 
allegations  have  been  inquired  into,  and  it  has  generally  been  found 
either  that  the  paint  has  been  tampered  with  or  that  it  has  been  put 
on  in  wet  weather  or  there  was  some  other  similar  explanation. 

1  See  p.  48.  2  See  Mr.  Patterson's  evidence,  p.  04. 


DANGER  IX  USE   OF  I*EAD  IX  I'HE  PAIXTIXG  OF  BUILDINGS.       69 

Sir  Henry  considers  the  office  of  works'  formula  for  leadless  paints 
applicable  to  all  kinds  of  outside  painting,  and  is  satisfied  that  lead 
is  not  required  except  for  the  first  coat  on  iron  or  steel.  Even 
this  they  nope  to  get  rid  of  as  the  result  of  further  experiments, 
but  in  the  meantime  they  are  still  using  lead  paints  for  priming  on 
iron  and  steel.  The  painting  of  the  savings  bank  building  in  1906 
is  regarded  by  the  office  of  works  as  their  most  important  experiment. 

Sir  Henry  Tanner  was  further  examined  with  regard  to  the  annual 
value  of  the  office  of  works'  painting,  which  he  estimated  at  £23,000. 
($111,929.50),  or  rather  more.  He  agreed  that  this  was  com- 
paratively small  compared  with  the  entire  amount  of  painting  in 
the  United  Kingdom, 'but  could  not  enter  into  any  figures  regarding 
the  latter. 

He  stated  that  he  had  nothing  to  do  with  the  use  of  white  lead 
on  the  Menai  bridge,  as  that  work  is  under  the  direction  of  the 
chief  engineer  and  not  the  principal  architect  of  the  office  of  works. 

The  office  of  works  prefer  a  ready-mixed  paint,  and  Sir  Henry 
thought  that  if  lea.d  were  prohibited  architects  would  specify  paints 
with  a  zinc  base.  He  thought  that  the  experience  of  the  office  of 
works  was  sufficient  to  justify  the  abolition  of  the  use  of  white  lead 
because  some  manufacturers  of  leadless  paints  would  come  into 
the  field  as  a  result  of  such  action.  Leadless  paints  were  adopted  by 
the  office  of  works  on  the  grounds  both  of  the  health  of  the  men  and 
the  superiority  of  the  paint.  The  workmen  now  understand  how 
to  use  zinc  just  as  well  as  lead,  and  the  former  keeps  its  color  better. 

WITNESSES  REPRESENTING  THE  ROYAL  INSTITUTE  OF 
BRITISH  ARCHITECTS. 

Mr.  Munby,  A.R.I.B.A.,  F.C.S.,  and  Mr.  Wonnacott,  A.R.I.B.A., 

F.C.S.,  attended  and  gave  an  account  of  the  investigation  carried 
out  by  the  Ro}'al  Institute  of  British  Architects  from  1908  to  1910. 
The  aim  of  that  investigation  was  to  formulate  a  standard  paint 
specification-,  and  in  the  course  of  it  they  dealt  with  the  four  com- 
ponents of  a  paint,  namely,  the  base,  vehicle,  thinner,  and  driers. 
A  3  regards  the  base,  they  found  that  the  durability  of  paint  increased 
with  the  fineness  of  grinding.  The  usual  method  of  specifying 
paint  work  is  by  the  number  oi  coats;  these  witnesses  were  of  opinion 
that  the  weight  of  paint  to  cover  a  given  area  ought  to  be  specified, 
but  on  further  examination  they  admitted  that  a  thin  coat  was  a 
;■  preservative  than  a  thick  one. 
As  regards  the  relative  qualities  of  zinc  and  lead  paints,  they  found 
that  both  were  equally  suitable  for  interior  work;  that  there  is  no 
difference  in  the  cost  of  similar  decorative  contracts  carried  out 
with  either  paint;  that  while  the  covering  power  of  zinc  is  less  than 
that  of  lead  the  spreading  power  of  zinc  is  greater;  and  while  the 
first  cost  of  zinc  is  greater  it  works  out  cheaper  in  the  end  because 
of  its  permanence  and  durability.  They,  therefore,  hold  that  zinc 
can  efficiently  replace  lead  for  interior  work,  provided  that  necessary 
differences  of  treatment  are  observed.  As  regards  exterior  work, 
Mr.  Munby  held  that  lead  is  better  than  zinc,  as  it  stands  the  weather 
better,  especially  in  the  lighter  shades,  while  some  of  the  darker 
shades  arc  difficult  to  obtain  without  lead.  Mr.  Wonnacott,  on  the 
other  hand,  was  of  opinion  that  zinc  is  as  good  as  lead  for  exterior 


70  BULLETIN    OF   THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

work,  and  both  witnesses  agreed  that  a  limitation  of  the  lead  content 
to  5  per  cent  would  not  introduce  serious  difficulties. 

The  vehicle,  in  the  opinion  of  these  witnesses,  is  as  important  as 
the  pigment,  and  they  considered  tung  oil,  which  is  cheaper  than 
linseed  oil,  is  a  most  suitable  vehicle.  The  Ivoyal  Institute  of  British 
Architects  arc  prepared  to  adopt  before  long  a  standard  specification 
which  would  include  zinc  paints,  and  it  was  stated  that  architects 
generally  would  welcome  the  prohibition  of  lead  if  possible,  witnesses 
considering  that  it  would  be  perfectly  safe  for  them  to  assent  to  a 
limitation  of  the  lead  in  paints  to  not  more  than  5  per  cent.  At 
the  same  time  the  knowledge  of  zinc  paints  amongst  architects  is 
not  great  and  up  to  the  present  time  white  lead  has  been  specified 
as  a  matter  of  habit. 

WITNESSES  REPRESENTING  MESSRS.  CADBURY  BROS.  (LTD.). 

Mr.  B.  J.  Morley  attended  to  give  evidence  regarding  the  use  of 
leadless  paints  by  Messrs.  Cadbury  Bros,  at  their  works  at  Bourn- 
ville,  near  Birmingham.  The  witness  is  foreman  painter  for  that 
firm  and  has  had  over  34  years'  experience.  He  has  at  present 
control  of  30  to  50  painters  who  are  employed  in  all  varieties  of 
work.  Leadless  paints  have  been  used  exclusively  by  Messrs. 
Cadbury  for  3  years  and  almost  exclusively  for  7  years;  the  change 
from  lead  paints  to  leadless  was  commenced  12  years  ago. 

The  paint  materials  at  present  in  use  at  the  Bournville  works  are: 
For  white  bases,  pure  zinc  oxide;  for  general  reds,  oxide  of  iron; 
for  greens,  leadless  green,  which  is  sometimes  made  from  barium 
and  sometimes  from  zinc,  but  most  commonly  from  ferrocyanide 
of  potassium  and  ocher.  In  addition  to  these,  various  better-class 
colors,  such  as  carmine,  are  used,  but  these  are  all  quite  leadless. 
The  use  of  red  lead  as  well  as  other  lead  compounds  has  been  entirely 
abandoned. 

The  leadless  paints  are  mostly  applied  by  Messrs.  Cadbury's  own 
men,  but  occasionally  by  outsiders.  All  the  paints  used  are  bought 
in  the  paste  form  ground  in  oil  or  turps  as  the  case  may  require;  the 
oxide  of  zinc  is  bought  ground  in  pure  linseed  oil. 

The  specification  for  zinc  oxide  is  99  per  cent  pure  oxide  of  zinc 
without  a  trace  of  lead;  as  long  as  the  material  is  free  from  lead,  cad- 
mium, or  barium,  and  it  contains  98  per  cent  of  pure  oxido  of  zinc,  it 
is  accepted.  The  standard  of  purity  for  iron  oxide  is  97  per  cent 
ferric  oxide. 

Mr.  Morley  stated  that  he  is  entirely  satisfied  with  the  results  ob- 
tained with  all  their  leadless  paints;  the  work  includes  good  office 
work,  factory  work,  both  exterior  and  interior,  and  comprising  iron, 
!.  and  wood  work,  and  greenhouse  work;  there  are  also  motor 
vans,  locomotives,  and  other  incidental  items  of  paint  work,  which 
are  all  done  under  the  supervision  of  tho  witness  and  according  to  his 
specifications.  About  5  cwt.  of  lead  is  still  bought  annually  for  the 
of  the  pipo  fitters  and  engine  fitters,  but  none  of  it  is  used  for 
painting.  Samples  of  the  various  materials  are  analyzed  for  lead, 
and  tho  witness  stated  that  ho  was  confident  there  would  never  be 
more  than  3  per  cent  of  lead  in  any  of  their  paints;  they  endeavor  to 
eliminate  even  that  small  percentage. 


DAXGER  IX  USE   OF  LEAD  1ST  THE  PAINTING  OF  BUILDINGS.       71 

In  Mr.  Morley's  opinion  the  use  of  leadless  paints  is  not  more  costly 
than  lead.  He  has  not  been  able  to  trace  any  diff  erence  in  the  cost 
one  way  or  the  other. 

The  witness  next  gave  examples  of  large  buildings  which  had  been 
painted  with  leadless  paints;  apart  from  one  which  was  last  painted 
11  years  ago,  at  which  time  he  could  not  be  certain  that  the  paints 
were  absolutely  free  from  lead,  he  instanced  two  buildings  some  600 
feet  by  40  $3el  which  were  painted  7  years  ago  absolutely  without 
lead.  These  were  painted  externally,  both  woodwork  and  ironwork, 
partly  with  zinc  oxide  and  partly  with  iron  oxide  paints.  They  were 
not  new  buildings,  but  were  repainted  over  lead,  which  the  witness 
considered  a  disadvantage  because  it  attacks  the  zinc  and  has  a  ten- 
dency to  powder  in  the  presence  of  sulphurous  fumes.  He  also 
instanced  two  or  three  blocks  of  new  buildings  painted  entirely  with 
zinc.  One  of  these  was  painted  about  3  years  ago  and  the  other 
about  5  years  ago.  The  practice  of  the  firm  is  to  paint  externally 
once  in  7  years;  from  the  whole  of  his  experience  throughout  the 
factory  Mr.  Morley  had  arrived  at  the  definite  conclusion  that  the 
leadless  paints  stand  better  than  the  white  lead  paints  used  to  do. 

In  regard  to  interior  painting,  of  which  the  witness's  experience 
includes  the  interior  of  a  greenhouse  painted  as  an  experiment,  his 
conclusions  are  even  more  strongly  in  favor  of  leadless  paints.  In 
the  witness's  opinion  priming,  as  well  as  other  paint  work,  can  be 
done  efficiently  without  the  use  of  lead. 

In  further  examination  the  witness  stated  that  at  first  some  diffi- 
culties had  been  found  in  respect  of  drying  and  in  obtaining  a  perfect 
flatting  paint,  but  these  difficulties  have  now  been  overcome;  the 
firm's  own  men  find  no  difficulty  in  applying  leadless  paints,  but 
outside  contractors'  men  are  less  accustomed  to  it. 

The  thinners  used  with  zinc  oxide  consist  of  raw  linseed  oil,  Ameri- 
can turps,  and  boiled  oil,  together  with  from  1  pint  to  1  quart  of 
oak  varnish  to  every  half  hundredweight  of  oxide  of  zinc.     The  zinc 

I  mints  cost  more  per  cwt.  than  lead  paints,  but  owing  to  the  much 
ower  specific  gravity  of  zinc  than  lead,  Mr.  Morley  has  not  found 
that  the  painting  costs  any  more  per  square  yard. 

WITNESSES  DEALING  MAINLY  WITH  STATISTICS  OF  LEAD 
POISONING  AMONG  HOUSE  PAINTERS.1 

Mr.  Parsonage  gave  evidence  to  the  effect  that  the  averago  member- 
ship of  the  National  Amalgamated  Society  of  Operative  House  and 
Ship  Painters  and  Decorators  over  the  last  six  years  was  about 
16,000,  of  whom  a  very  small  number,  probably  not  more  than  100, 
would  be  engaged  on  ship  painting  exclusively.  Ho  handed  in  a 
table2  showing  amounts  paid  as  compensation  for  serious  cases  of 

Ehimbism  among  the  members  of  his  society,  and  he  also  handed  to 
h\  Collis  records  of  !>.';.">  deaths-  from  all  causes  which  had  occurred 
among  members  of  his  society  during  the  six  years  1905-1910,and 
assured  the  committeo  that  the  records,  which  were  not  specially 
compiled  for  this  inquiry \  but  comprised  the  ordinary  quarterly 
returns,  could  be  relied  upon  as  absolutely  trustworthy. 

1  See  also  evidence  of  I>r.  Legge, p.  4..  3  Tabulated  in  Appendix  XII  [Minutes  of  Evidence]. 

*  See  Appendix  XI  (Minutes  of  Evidence]. 


72  BULLETIN'  OF    THE   BUBEAU   OF    LABOR*  STATISTICS". 

Mr.  Gardner  gave  similar  evidence  as  secretary  of  the  Scottish 
Society  of  Operative  House  and  Ship  Painters,  stating  that  the  aver- 
age membership  of  his  society  was  3,240,  of  whom  not  more  than  75 
would  bo  exclusively  engaged  m  ship  painting.  He  handed  to  Dr. 
Collis  records  of  305  deaths  from  all  causes  which  occurred  during 
the  10  years  1901-1910,  inclusive. 

Dr.  Collis,  a  member  of  the  committee  and  H.  M.  medical  inspector 
of  factories  at  the  Homo  Office,  gave  evidence  regarding  the  details 
shown  on  the  death  returns  handed  in  by  Messrs.  Parsonage  and 
Gardner.  He  prefaced  his  evidence  by  dealing  briefly  with  the  im- 
portant point  in  the  registrar  general's  mortality  returns  for  the  class 
plumbers,  painters,  and  glaziers,  among  whom  the  mortality  is  shown 
to  be  11  per  cent  higher  than  amongst  the  general  population. 

In  the  registrar  general's  supplement  attention  is  called  to  the 
excessive  incidence  of  Bright's  disease,  phthisis,  and  nervous  dis- 
eases, as  well  as  plumbism,  among  workers  whose  occupation  involves 
exposure  to  absorption  of  lead.  Following  this  conclusion,  Dr.  Collis 
stated  that  he  had  tabulated  the  figures  supplied  by  Messrs.  Parsonage 
and  Gardner  with  special  regard  to  the  incidence  among  the  members 
of  the  two  trade  societies'  of  plumbism,  Bright's  disoase  and  phthisis, 
but  he  did  not  attempt  to  deal  with  nervous  diseases  in  his  investi- 
gation owing  to  his  uncertainty  as  to  which  diseases  the  registrar 
general  had  included  under  that  heading.  Dr.  Collis  put  in  a  table 
showing  details  of  the  two  societies  taken  together  as  well  as  a  further 
table  showing  the  deductions  which  may  fairly  bo  drawn  from  the 
first  table.1  He  summed  up  the  results  briefly  as  showing  that  in 
every  100  deaths  which  have  occurred  among  the  members  of  those 
two  societies,  between  13  and  14  have  occurred  from  causes  attributa- 
ble to  lead.  The  elimination  of  those  causes  of  death  which  are  con- 
nected with  work  in  lead  resulted  in  the  conclusion  that  the  age  at 
death  from  the  remaining  causes  would  closely  approximate  the 
average  ago  at  death  of  all  males.  In  Appendix  XII,  Table  B,3  addi- 
tional columns  are  given  showing  the  median  age  at  death,  which 
Bowley  in  his  book  "Elements  of  Statistics"  regards  as  the  most 
useful  form  of  average.  In  the  case  of  members  of  the  two  trade 
societies  the  median  age  at  death  is  eight  years  lower  than  it  is  for  all 
males.  Those  conclusions  agree  almost  exactly  with  the  correspond- 
ing deduction  from  the  registrar  .general's  figures,  which  show  that 
the  median  age  of  plumbers,  painters,  and  glaziers  at  death  is  48-49, 
as  compared  with  56-57  among  the  general  male  population. 

Dr.  Collis  satisfied  himself  from  a  study  of  the  statistics  that  this 
lowering  of  the  median  ago  at  death  was  due  solely  to  the  increased 
prevalence  of  plumbism,  phthisis,  and  Bright's  disease,  the  first  two 
of  which  cause  a  lower  median  age  at  death  than  that  caused  by  other 
dises 

Dr.  Collis  then  compared  the  figures  of  the  National  Amalgamated 
Society  with  those  of  the  Scottish  society,  and  pointed  out  that  in 
the  latter  the  incidence  of  plumbism  is  decidedly  lower,  that  of 
Bright's  disease  somewhat  lower,  and  that  of  phthisis  decidedly 
higher;  the  mortality  from  accident  is  also  higher  in  the  Scottish 
society. 

1  See  Appendix  XII  [Minutes  of  Evidence]. 

2  La  Minutes  of  Evidence,  presented  in  a  separate  volume  of  the  original  report. 


DA1STGER  IN  USE  OF  LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.       73 

The  witness  next  dealt  with  statistics  of  invalidity  and  showed 
that  the  amount  of  sickness  among  any  class  of  workers  could  be 
judged  by  the  contributions  required  by  the  friendly  societies.  As 
long  ago  as  1854  it  was  realized  that  four  classes  of  workers  were 
exposed  to  excessive  risk  of  invalidity,  namely,  mariners,  miners  and 
colliers,  painters,  and  railway  servants;  while  the  painters  are  not 
liable  to  accident  sickness  to  anything  like  the  same  extent  as  the 
other  three  classes  just  named,  the  contribution  required  from  the 
painters  stands  second  and  is  only  exceeded  by  that  required  from 
miners  and  colliers.  Dr.  Collis  also  quoted  figures  given  in  the  United 
States  Bulletin  of  Labor  for  1910, *  showing  the  insurance  rates 
charged  in  the  various  occupations  in  all  the  principal  civilized  coun- 
tries. Since  the  act  of  1906  made  lead  poisoning  a  ground  for  compen- 
sation under  the  Workmen's  Compensation  Act  the  insurance  rates 
for  painters  have  increased,  while  the  rates  have  somewhat  decreased 
during  the  same  period  for  most  other  occupations;  further,  the  in- 
crease of  rates  for  painters  which  has  taken  place  since  1907  has  not 
occurred  in  countries  where  lead  poisoning  is  not  the  subject  of  com- 
pensation. 

Dr.  Edginton  is  the  certifying  surgeon  for  North  Birmingham,  and 
sees  a  considerable  number  of  lead  poisoning  cases.  He  produced 
particulars  of  106  cases  seen  in  the  course  of  2J  years.  Included  in 
these  were  11  cases  of  house  painters,  3  of  which  only  were  reported 
to  the  Home  Office.  The  other  8  were  not  reported  because  the 
poisoning  had  not  been  contracted  in  a  factory  or  workshop.  Seeing 
that  only  3  cases  out  of  11.  were  reported  to  the  Home  Office,  Dr. 
Edginton  concluded  that  there  must  be  a  very  large  number  of 
nonreported  cases  in  the  city  of  Birmingham  taken  as  a  whole.  Dr. 
Edginton  explained  that  he  did  not  tabulate  a  case  as  lead  poisoning 
if  only  one  symptom,  such  as  colic,  is  present;  he  always  requires  to 
have  it  confirmed  by  some  secondary  symptom. 

In  Dr.  Edginton's  opinion  the  breathing  of  lead  dust  is  the  common- 
est cause  of  lead  poisoning,  and  the  use  of  nonpoisonous  paints  is  the 
only  reliable  way  of  preventing  plumbism.  In  the  case  of  house  paint- 
ers regulations  would  be  almost  impossible,  because  the  work  is  done 
at  houses  where  they  could  not  possibly  be  regulated  or  inspected. 

WITNESSES  DEALING  MAINLY  WITH  SHIP  PAINTING. 

Great  Eastern  Railway  Co. — Commander  W.  IT.  Covsh,  R.N.R., 
marine  superintendent,  gave  evidence  in  regard  to  the  paints  used  on 
the  Great  Eastern  Co's.  ships  at  Parkeston  Quay,  Harwich.  Up  to 
the  time  of  giving  evidence  lead  paints  had  been  used  for  all  purposes 
except  the  black  outside  work';  the  company  had  decided,  however, 
to  use  zinc  paints  exclusively  in  future  because  they  found  the  tend- 
ency of  lead  paints  to  turn  yellow — an  objectionable  feature — and 
their  experiments  had  shown  that  the  zinc  paints  were  entirely  satis- 
factory. The  witness  stated  that  they  were  making  the  change  from 
white  lead  to  zinc  paints  without  any  misgivings,  and  if  the  committee 
were  to  recommend  the  prohibition  of  lead  in  future  it  would  not  affect 
them  in  the  least.  The  change  is  being  made  entirely  from  a  business 
point  of  view  and  not  out  of  regard  for  the  danger  of  lead  poisoning. 

1  Bulletin  No.  90.  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Labor. 


74  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUEEAU    OF    LABOE   STATISTICS. 

With  regard  to  red  lead  Commander  Coysh  said  that  he  had  found 
red  lead  the  best  protective  paint  for  first  coats  on  iron,  so  far  as  his 
knowledge  went;  he  knew  of  a  good  protective  leadless  oxide  which  is 
coming  very  much  into  use,  but  he  would  wish  to  experiment  further 
before  discarding  the  use  of  red  lead  for  iron  primings.  He  stated  that 
they  never  use  red  lead  after  the  first  coating;  with  regard  to  white 
leacl  he  repeated  that  they  have  decided  to  replace  it  with  zinc  paint 
because  the  latter  is  the  better  paint  both  for  internal  and  external  use. 

Mr.  G.  Schobert,  a  manufacturer  of  leadless  compositions  for  paint- 
ing ship's  hulls,  stated  that  he  had  supplied  his  composition  to  the 
Great  Eastern  Railway  Go.  among  others.  The  pigment  base  of 
the  composition  was  either  zinc  or  oxide  of  iron.  The  witness  claimed 
that  with  pure  chemical  oxide  of  iron  he  could  obtain  a  paint  of  greater 
covering  power  than  either  red  or  white  lead,  and  for  white  paints  he 
could  achieve  the  same  results  with  zinc  oxide.  He  considered  that 
the  covering  power  of  red  and  white  lead  had  been  overrated  because 
painters  have  been  able  to  secure  genuine  red  and  white  lead  in  a  pure 
form,  whereas  if  such  paints  as  zinc  white  or  oxide  of  iron  or  red  paints 
or  yellow  ochers  are  demanded,  adulterated  pigments  are  generally 
supplied.  The  witness  stated  that  the  cost  of  his  paints  per  cwt.  is 
greater  than  the  cost  of  lead  paints  per  cwt.,  but  the  bulk  of  paint 
obtained  is  nearly  twice  as  much  as  lead  paints;  the  lightness  of  the 
leadless  paints  is  a  decided  advantage.  The  paints  in  question  have 
been  in  use  for  some  45  years  and  have  been  used  by  the  Lancashire 
&  Yorkshire  Railway  Co.,  Great  Eastern  Railway  Co.,  Sir  Frederick 
Boulton's  Steamship  Co.  All  these  have  given  repeat  orders,  as  have 
also  the  District  Railway  Co.,  the  Brentford  Gas  Co.,  the  Dutch  and 
Danish  Governments,  four  or  live  Dutch  gas  companies,  and  a  number 
of  other  users  both  at  home  and  abroad.  The  paint  is  particularly 
suit  able  for  use  on  iron  and  steel  and  could  replace  red  lead  on  the  bare 
metal  without  previous  priming  with  lead  paint. 

Capt.  Tuke  is  the  marine  superintendent  of  the  Orient  Steamship 
Co.  and  exorcises  full  control  over  the  painting  work  on  the  ships  of 
that  line;  he  employs  about  27  to  40  painters  and  a  very  small  amount 
( il  painting  is  also  done  by  the  sailors  on  the  various  ships.  Up  to  the 
time  of  giving  evidence  lead  paints  had  been  used  for  painting  funnels 
and  ventilators  only;  for  all  ordinary  internal  and  external  painting 
the  Orient  Line  have  used  zinc  paints  for  at  least  35  years.  Zinc 
priming  paints  are  used  both  on  wood  and  metal;  a  zinc  white  paint 
wit  h  a  little  coloring  matter,  such  as  yellow  ocher,  is  used  for  the  stone 
colored  painting;  zinc  white  is  used  for  the  holds  generally;  and  for 
the  interior  of  cabins  enamel  paints,  such  as  Rystolite  and  Satinette 
are  used  over  the  zinc  undercoats.  Enamel  paints  are  also  used  for 
the  deck  houses  and  white  zinc  for  the  rails ;  the  hulls  are  painted  with 
a  leadless  black  paint.  A  small  proportion  only  of  lead  is  used  in  the 
bnff-colored  paint  for  funnels  and  ventilators.  Even  the  very  small 
amount  of  lead  used  for  funnels  and  ventilators  is  forming  the  subject 
of  experiment^  and  ('apt- Tuke  was  of  opinion  that  entire  prohibi- 
tion of  lead  paint  would  not  affect  the  company  in  the  least.  The  zinc 
paint  may  he  slightly  more  expensive  than  lead,  but  not  sufficiently  so 
to  affect  them  at  all.  The  chief  advantage  of  zinc  is  that  it  docs  not 
turn  yellow  as  white  lead  would.  Capt.  Tuke  said  that  they  were 
entirely  satisfied  with  the  zinc  paints  for  exterior  as  well  as  interior  use 
in  every  respect.     The  durability  is  satisfactory,   the  holds  being 


DANGER  IN   USE  OP  LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.        75 

painted  about  every  four  years;  with  regard  to  exterior  work,  no  paint 
on  board  ship  could  be  allowed  to  go  more  than  a  few  months  owing  to 
mechanical  abrasion.  The  ships  of  the  Orient  Line  are  painted  exter- 
nally about  every  two  months.  The  zinc  white  is  bought  in  paste 
form  and  mixed  up  with  linseed  oil  and"  a  certain  amount  of  driers,  but 
no  varnish.  He  has  not  found  any  difficulty  on  the  workmen's  part 
in  applying  zinc  paints,  even  when  he  has  engaged  painters  who  have 
previously  been  accustomed  to  lead  paints.  As  regards  the  painting 
of  the  hulls  below  the  water  line,  Capt.  Tuke  stated  they  used  Wood's 
composition,  which  contains  copper  but  not  lead  so  far  as  the  witness 
is  aware.  He  stated  that  it  was  a  patent  composition,  and  the  makers 
would  not  disclose  its  constitution. 

Mr.  G.  B.  Mockford,  foreman  of  painters  at  H.  M.  dockyard,  Ports- 
mouth, attended  to  give  evidence  regarding  the  practical  use  of  paints 
in  the  British  navy.  At  the  time  of  giving  evidence  he  had  only  had 
six  months'  experience  at  the  Portsmouth  dockyard,  where  320  paint- 
ers are  employed,  but  he  had  had  7 h  years'  experience  in  a  similar 
capacity  at  Sheerness.  He  had  known  several  cases  of  poisoning  by 
lead,  and  considered  that  its  use  constituted  a  very  decided  danger; 
lead  paints  are  not  used  by  the  admiralty  in  confined  spaces;  oxide  of 
iron  paints  have  been  substituted  with  very  good  results  15  years  ago 
for  such  work  as  the  painting  of  double  bottoms,  compartments,  fore 
peaks,  and  hatchways  and  bunkers.  Oxide  of  iron  has  been  greatly 
used  of  late  in  preference  to  white  lead  for  finishing  coats,  but  the 
priming,  which  is  principally  on  iron  and  steel,  is  done  with  a  mixture 
of  red  and  white  lead.  The  witness  attributed  the  greatest  danger  to 
the  dust  from  the  rubbing  down  of  painted  surfaces,  which  is  consider- 
able in  amount  though  often  almost  invisible.  In  his  opinion  the  way 
to  obviate  that  danger  is  to  extend  the  use  of  zinc  paints.  At  the  time 
of  giving  evidence  the  royal  yacht  Victoria  and  Albert  had  just  been 
painted,  and  the  renovation  oi"  all  the  royal  apartments  was  carried  out 
with  zinc  paints.  Lead  had  greater  covering  power  than  zinc  in  the 
witness's  experience,  and  therefore  a  priming  coat  of  half  lead  and 
half  zinc  is  generally  given  in  the  seamen's  quarters  where  granulated 
cork  is  used. 

The  admiralty  have  laid  down  a  number  of  regulations  to  be  observed 
where  lead  paints  are-  used.  Soap,  towels,  and  nailbrushes  are  pro- 
vided, also  hot  water,  which,  in  the  witness's  opinion,  is  most  essential. 
Time  is  allowed  for  washing,  namely,  five  minutes  before  the  noon  bell 
ringing  and  five  minutes  before  the  afternoon  bell  ringing.  The  wash- 
ing is  enforced  by  the  chargeman,  who  holds  the  mens  tickets  and 
does  not  give  them  out  until  the  men  have  been  to  the  washhouse  and 
have  washed  their  hands.  All  men  are  supplied  at  the  expense  of  the 
admiralty  with  overalls,  which  are,  moreover,  washed  fortnightly  at 
the  admiralty's  expense  in  a  largo  laundry  with  steam  machinery  on 
the  dockyard  premises.  At  Shectness  dockyard  the  men  are  exam- 
ined by  a  medical  man  regularly  every  Saturday  morning;  at  Ports- 
mouth dockyard  they  are  seen  by  the  medical  officer  at  convenient  in- 
tervals in  batches  of  about  20.  In  the  witness's  opinion  a  great 
improvement  in  the  general  health  lias  been  noticeable  during  the  last 
8  or  10  years.  Notwithstanding  all  the  above-named  precautions, 
which  are  strictly  enforced,  lead  poisoning  cases  still  occur  frequently, 
and  the  men  have  to  be  put  on  to  work  which  does  not  involve  contact 
with  lead. 


76  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF   LABOR   STATISTICS. 

The  witness  considered  that  the  abolition  of  lead  is  the  only  way  to 
remove  the  evils  entirely,  and  he  thought  it  would  be  practicable  to 

Erohibit  the  use  of  lead  except  for  priming  coats  on  iron  and  steel  sur- 
iccs;  this  answer  applied  both  to  inside  and  outside  painting.  The 
witness  excepted  priming  coats  on  iron  and  steel  surfaces  in  his  answer 
because  the  lead  paint  at  present  used  is  very  satisfactory,  and  he  has 
made  no  experiments  on  a  large  scale  on  such  surfaces  with  nonlead 
paints;  he  would  not  go  so  far  as  to  say  that  no  other  paint  than  a  lead 
paint  would  be  likely  to  succeed  on  iron  and  steel.  From  the  wit- 
ness's experience  of  zinc  paints  on  the  upper  deck  work  of  the  Victoria 
and  Albi  rt,  he  regarded  it  as  probable  that  the  same  paints  suitably 
tinted  would  stand  quite  well  for  the  outside  painting  of  battleships, 
but  no  instruction  to  this  effect  has  yet  been  issued  by  the  admiralty. 
The  witness  could  see  no  objection  to  the  use  of  nonlead  paints  for  the 
upper  decks  and  also  for  the  whole  of  the  hull,  in  board  and  out. 

Mr.  W.  Simpson  is  foreman  painter  at  Messrs.  Brown  and  Co.'s 
shipbuilding  and  engineering  works,  Clydebank.  He  has  had  30 
years'  experience  and  has  some  410  men  under  his  charge.  He  knew 
of  very  few  lead  poisoning  cases,  only  about  six  having  been  reported 
to  bim,  but  he  agreed  that  there  may  have  been  cases  which  did 
not  come  to  his  knowledge.  Some  dust  may  be  breathed  when  the 
men  are  doing  dry  rubbing  down,  but  he  did  not  consider  that  there 
was  much  danger,  given  duo  cleanliness  on  the  part  of  the  men.  He 
said  that  in  his  opinion  no  paint  stood  better  than  white  lead,  but 
in  reply  to  further  questions  he  said  he  had  used  leadless  paints  very 
largely  and  had  found  that  such  paints  as  zinc  oxide  stood  very  well. 
On  admiralty  work  oxide  of  iron  is  used  entirely  for  confined  spaces. 
In  his  experience  zinc  is  very  satisfactory,  though  they  seldom  bring 
up  paint  work  with  zinc  from  the  base,  and  he  said  he  preferred  white 
lead  as  a  base.  He  spoke  of  one  vessel  which  had  been  done  entirely 
with  zinc  oxide,  the  whole  of  the  inside  and  the  hull  brought  up  from 
the  bare  metal  throughout  with  zinc  paint,  and  the  result  looked  per- 
fectly well.  He  has  had  no  report  of  any  complaint.  The  witness 
thought  zinc  was  'not  so  durable  as  white  lead,  and  instanced  the 
painting  of  some  250-ton  cranes  which  did  not  stand  so  well.  The 
cranes  were  originally  painted  five  years  previously  over  oxide  of 
iron.  The  witness  thought  white  lead  better  than  zinc  white  because 
a  machine  for  rolling  plates  had  been  painted  10  years  previously 
with  white  lead  and  was  still  in  good  condition. 

With  regard  to  steel  plates  with  rust  on  them,  the  witness  found 
red  lead  the  best  covering,  as  the  rust  will  in  time  show  through  zinc 
paint  and  even  white  lead.  For  a  ship's  bottom  he  considers  nothing 
stands  better  than  mixed  red  and  white  lead;  zinc  paint  gets  soft 
under  water.  In  confined  spaces  on  admiralty  work  oxide  of  iron 
is  used,  and  also  bituminous  paints  and  red  lead  have  been  used 
in  double  bottoms. 

The  witness  has  found  no  difference  in  the  effect  on  the  men  except 
that  they  get  partially  overpowered  by  the  fumes  if  they  stay  in  such 
a  confined  space  too  long.  The  fumes  are  worse  in  the  case  of  the 
bituminous  paint. 

The  witness  expressed  the  opinion  that  lead  poisoning  is  due  to 
the  carelessness  and  uncleanliness  of  the  men,  and  complained  that 
he  had  known  them  to  sit  down  for  meals  with  their  hands  covered 
with  paint,  although  washing  accommodation  is  provided.     In  further 


DANGER  IX  USE   OF   LEAD  IX   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.       77 

examination,  he  admitted  that  the  washing  accommodation  provided 
consisted  of  two  large  sinks  with  hot  and  cold  water  laid  on,  with 
soap,  one  nailbrush,  and  one  large  towel  for  from  200  to  400  men. 
No  time  is  allowed  for  washing;  the  witness  stated  that  it  was  not 
in  his  power  to  give  the  men  time  for  such  a  purpose,  and  he  has  had 
no  instructions  to  provide  washing  accommodation. 

WITNESSES  DEALING  MAINLY  WITH  BRIDGE  PAINTING. 

Mr.  Eilson,  resident  engineer  of  the  Southeastern  &  Chatham 
Railway  at  Charing  Cross  and  Cannon  Street,  stated  that  he  was  in 
charge  of  the  painting  operations  on  the  liver  bridges  at  these  two 
stations.  Nonpoisonous  painting  materials  have  been  used  some- 
what extensively  by  the  Southeastern  &  Chatham  Railway  Co. 
On  the  Charing  Cross  and  Cannon  Street  bridges  and  other  smaller 
bridges  ordinary  coal-tar  paint  has  been  used  and  has  proved  durable 
and  very  efficient  indeed  in  every  way.  Some  of  this  paint,  for  exam- 
ple, on  the  under  side  of  Cannon  Street  bridge  was  last  painted  with 
tar  18  years  ago,  and  it  is  almost  as  good  now  as  when  it  was  put  on; 
two  coats  of  this  paint  are  as  good  as  anything  known  for  protective 
purposes,  provided  that  the  black  color  is  not  objected  to.  It  is  rather 
costly  in  labor  taken  for  applying  it,  but  is  nevertheless  economical, 
because  two  coats  are  as  good  as  three  coats  of  lead  paint.  It  is  not, 
however,  so  durable  as  other  paints  when  exposed  to  sulphurous 
fumes  such  as  are  found  in  the  atmosphere  inside  railway  termini. 

On  the  roofs  of  Charing  Cross  and  Cannon  Street  stations,  where 
the  atmospheric  conditions  arc  very  trying,  silica  graphite  paints 
have  been  found  very  efficient;  three  coats  of  that  paint  applied  to 
Cannon  Street  station  roof  two  years  previously  had  proved  con- 
clusively to  them  that  it  was  superior  to  lead  paint.  Silica  graphite 
paint  is  absolutely  lcadlcss,  but  could  not  be  used  white.  Another 
black  paint,  known  as  carbonizing  coating  paint,  has  been  used  on 
Cannon  Street  station  roof  as  against  lead  applied  to  other  parts  of 
the  roof  at  the  same  time ;  three  years  later  both  paints  were  in  about 
the  same  condition,  and  the  same  was  noted  at  the  end  of  the  sixth 
year  when  the  work  was  repainted;  two  coats  of  carbonizing  coating 
paint  were  used,  as  against  three  coats  of  the  best  lead  paint.  The 
comparative  costs  of  the  paints  above  referred  to  work  out  as  follows; 


Cost  per  square  yard  in  pence. 

Material. 

Labor. 

Total. 

onl  zing 

coating;     silica 

o.  66 1 
.135 
.878 

1.68 
3.00 

'    1.C8 

2.344 

3.  135 

2.558 



Experiments  with  two  gallons  of  lcadlcss  white  paints  have  also 
been  made;  these  have  been  found  entirely  satisfactory  and  as  effi- 
cient and  durable  as  the  best  lead  paints  in  the  atmospheric  condi- 
tions prevailing  in  London  railway  termini.  Mr.  Eilson,  therefore, 
concluded  that  the  prohibition  of  the  use  of  lead  would  cause  no 
difficulty  so  far  as  his  work  was  concerned. 


78  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUEEAU   OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

Mr.  P.  J.  Hunter  is  an  inspector  of  the  Forth  Bridge  Railway  Co. 
and  in  charge  of  the  painting  operations  on  the  Forth  bridge.  Non- 
lead  materials  are  principally  used,  particularly  oxide  of  iron.  Some 
red  and  white  lead  are  also  used,  the  proportions  being  as  follows : 

Red  lead 1  ton  16  ewts.  (dry). 

White  lead 16  cwts.  (paste). 

Oxide  of  iron 9  tons  (paste). 

Seventy-five  per  cent  of  the  paint  used,  therefore,  is  leadless,  but 
the  mixture  of  red  and  white  lead  is  still  preferred  as  a  priming  coat 
on  naked  steel  which  has  had  to  be  chipped  and  scraped.  Oxide  of 
iron  has  been  used  over  a  lead  priming  ever  since  the  bridge  was 
built.  Repainting  is  done  every  three  years,  but  the  lower  parts 
exposed  to  the  sea  spray  are  now  being  painted  every  year,  though 
this  is  probably  only  absolutely  necessary  every  two  years.  Mr. 
Hunter  considers  lead  paint  not  so  good  as  iron  oxide  for  the  outer 
coats,  as  it  absorbs  oxygen  from  the  atmosphere  and  there  is  a  tend- 
ency then  for  corrosion  to  begin.  The  lead  paint  is  also  more  ex- 
pensive, the  contract  prices  for  the  year  quoted  being:  Iron  oxide, 
12s.  (82.92)  per  cwt.;  red  lead,  16s.  ($3.89);  white  lead,  19s.  9d.  ($4.81). 
Mr.  Hunter  said  they  had  never  tried  to  find  a  substitute  for  lead  as 
a  priming  coat,  but  was  sure  if  lead  was  prohibited  a  substitute  would 
be  founcL  There  has  been  no  lead  poisoning  among  the  workers  of 
recent  years,  but  there  were  some  cases  of  painter  s  colic  20  years 
ago  due  to  dust  from  cleaning  paint  off  the  insides  of  the  tubes.  Steel 
work  is  scraped  and  brushed  with  a  wire  brush,  thus  causing  dust, 
but  only  very  small  surfaces  are  done  each  year.  There  is  no  general 
painting  in  the  insides  of  the  tubes  and  the  current  of  air  through 
them  is  so  strong  that  it  carries  away  any  little  dust  that  may  be 
made.  At  the  time  of  giving  evidence  Mi*.  Hunter  was  experiment- 
ing with  a  bituminous  paint  for  priming  coats  and  it  appears  to  be 
satisfactory.  Some  of  the  outside  work  was  finished  entirely  with 
red  lead  and  that  deteriorated  very  soon.  All  oxide  of  iron  direct 
on  the  steel  was  not  satisfactory.  In  conclusion  Mr.  Hunter  said 
that  he  would  not  mind  if  the  use  of  white  lead  were  prohibited  alto- 
gether provided  he  could  find  an  efficient  substitute  for  priming  sur- 
faces on  steel,  and  this  he  would  expect  to  do  fairly  easily  if  it  were 
necessary. 

WITNESSES  SUBMITTED  BY  THE  WHITE  LEAD  CORRODERS' 
SECTION  OF  THE  LONDON  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE. 

Dr.  Ignaz  Kaup  is  a  doctor  of  medicine  who  has  devoted  great 
attention  to  the  subject  of  lead  poisoning  in  general  and  among  house 
painters  in  particular.  He  has  held  a  number  of  important  official 
appointments  in  connection  with  the  Austrian  Government,  by  whom 
he  was  also  specially  commissioned  to  assist  in  the  work  of  the  Aus- 
trian Commission  on  Lead  Poisoning.  He  was  also  professor  of  indus- 
trial hygiene  in  the  University  of  Vienna.  Since  1907  Dr.  Kaup  has 
been  a  departmental  chief  of  the  Central  Organization  for  Social 
Hygiene  in  Berlin;  also  professor  of  hygiene  in  the  Technical  High 
School  of  Charlottenburg  and  editor  of  a  journal  and  author  of  numer- 
ous publications  on  the  subject  of  lead  poisoning. 


DANGER  IN  USE   OF  LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.       79 

AUSTRIA. 

Dr.  Kaup  noted,  when  government  medical  officer  in  Vienna, 
the  great  amount  of  lead  poisoning  in  that  city;  he  wrote  a  brochure 
on  the  subject  in  1902,  and  in  1904  was  appointed  a  member  of 
the  Austrian  commission  to  inquire  into  lead  poisoning.  The  com- 
mission found  that  reliable  statistics  of  lead  poisoning  could  only 
be  obtained  for  Vienna,  in  which  the  number  of  cases  rose  from 
130  in  1901  to  253  in  1906.  The  report  lays  very  great  stress  upon 
the  danger  of  dry  rubbing  down,  it  having  been  found  that  the 
air  of  a  room  in  which  dry  rubbing  down  was  being  done  contained 
from  1  to  25  milligrammes  of  white  lead  per  1,000  liters  of  air,  i.  e., 
from  10  to  250  milligrammes  per  10.  cubic  meters  of  air.  This 
dangerous  process  of  dry  rubbing  down  is  in  Austria  practically 
confined  to  inside  pointing;  the  report  of  the  Austrian  commission 
therefore  draws  a  sharp  distinction  between  inside  and  outside 
painting.  To  the  general  absence  of  dry  rubbing  down  on  exterior 
work  the  Austrian  report  ascribes  the  relatively  small  amount  of 
lead  poisoning  due  to  outside  painting,  notwithstanding  the  large 
amount  of  white  lead  used  therein.  At  that  time  (1905)  moreover 
the  commission  found  that  "the  question  of  substitutes  for  outside 
painting  is  still  in  the  stage  of  experiment  and  inquiry."  As  a 
result  of  the  report  of  the  Austrian  commission  a  set  of  regulations 
was  issued  by  the  minister  of  commerce  in  1908.  These,  which  are 
set  forth  in  extenso  in  Appendix  IX,1  include  as  the  chief  provisions: 

(1)  Prohibition   of   dry  rubbing   down    and   pumice   stoning 

(sec.  7). 

(2)  Prohibition  of  white  lead  for  inside  use  (sec.  4). 

(3)  Notification  of  lead  contents  on  paint  cans,  etc.  (sec.  3). 

(4)  Provision  by  employer  of  (a)  washing  accommodation  in 

all  cases;  (b)  overalls  and  head  coverings  where  more 
than  20  workers  are  employed;  and  (c)  respirators  for 
all  workers  in  processes  entailing  the  generation  of 
much  dust  (sec.  8). 

(5)  Provision  by  employer  of  special  rooms  for  washing  and 

for  keeping  clothes  where  more  than  20  are  employed 
(sec.  2). 

(6)  Periodical  medical  inspection  where   more   than   20   are 

employed,  and  medical  certificate  before  reemploy- 
ment of  a  workman  once  lead-sick  (sec.  6). 

(7)  Provision  of  instructions  as  to  the  danger  and  nature  of 

lead  poisoning  and  the  means  of  avoiding  it  (sec.  1 1). 
At  the  time  of  Dr.  Kaup  giving  evidence  the  regulations  had  been 
in  force  some  2$  years  and  a  diminution  in  the  number  of  cases 
could  already  be  traced,  the  number  of  cases  of  lead  poisoning  among 
members  of  the  Sickness  Insurance  Fund,  Vienna,  being  the  highest 
in  1904,  1905,  and  1906;  197,  198,  and  253.  respectively,  in  those 
three  years.  In  the  jTear  in  which  the  commission  was  silting 
(1907)  the  cases  were  only  108;  in  1908,  107;  in  1909,  143;  and  in 
1910,  138.  These  last  quoted  figures,  however,  are  higher  than 
those  for  1901  and  1902,  when  the  eases  numbered  130  and  125, 
respectively;  it  appears,  however,  that  the  number  of  painters  has 
increased  materially  during  the  10  years  1901-1910,  and  therefore 
the  figure  of  138  for  the  last  year  may  represent  some  improvement 

1  In  Minutes  of  Evidence,  presented  in  a  separate  volume  of  the  original  report. 


80  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR    STATISTICS. 

on  the  figures  of  130  for  the  first  year  of  the  decennium,  but  at  best 
the  improvement  is  very  slight. 

GERMANY. 

Regulations  for  the  painting  industry  were  established  in  Germany 
on  June  27,   1005,  and  include  the  following  provisions: 

(1)  Prohibition  of  dry  rubbing  down  and  dry  pumice  stoning 

(sec.  3). 

(2)  Provision  by  employer  of  washing  appliances  (sec.  5). 

(3)  Provision  of  special  rooms  for  washing  and  for  clothes 

(sec.  8).    . 

(4)  Rules  by  employer  (a)  to  require  special  work  clothes,  and 

prohibiting  (b)  spirit  drinking  and  smoking  during  work, 
and  (c)  eating  or  drinking  before  washing  (sees.  4  and  9). 

(5)  Half-yearly  medical  inspection,  and  prohibition  of  work 

before  recovery  from  lead  poisoning  (sec.  10). 

(6)  A  medical  register  (sec.  11). 

(7)  Provision  of  instructions  as  to  the  danger  and  prevention 

of  lead  poisoning  (sec.  6). 

There  is  no  obligation  to  notify  cases  of  lead  poisoning  in  Germany, 
and  any  statistics  are  therefore  necessarily  incomplete.  In  Dr. 
Kaup's  opinion  the  available  records  of  hospitals  are  "reliable  for 
an  estimate  of  the  increase  or  decrease  of  lead  poisoning,  but  do 
not  give  an  accurate  picture  of  the  full  extent  of  it,  inasmuch  as 
workmen  only  go  to  the  hospitals  as  a  last  resource."  These 
records  show  a  decrease  in  the  number  of  the  cases  from  178  in 
Berlin  and  1,050  in  the  whole  of  Prussia  in  1904,  to  130  in  Berlin 
and  900  in  the  whole  of  Prussia  in  1908.  The  full  table  printed  in 
Appendix  XV1  shows  the  decrease  since  1906,  when  the  regulations 
came  into  force,  not  only  in  the  number  of  cases,  but  even  more 
so  in  the  number  of  days  of  illness  and  the  proportion  of  cases  among 
painters  to  total  cases  of  lead  poisoning.  The  statistics  of  the 
sickness  insurance  fund  for  the  painters  of  Berlin  show  similar 
reduction,  e.  g.,  the  number  of  cases  of  lead  poisoning  falling  from 
379  in  1907  to  268  in  1910.  These  last  statistics  Dr.  Ivaup  considers 
quite  reliable,  but  unfortunately  they  are  only  available  for  important 
centers,  such  as  Berlin,  and  not  for  the  country  as  a  whole. 

Dr.  Kaup  considered  that  the  decrease  in  the  amount  of  lead  poison- 
ing among  painters  was  directly  due  to  the  effect  of  the  regulations. 
He  was  strongly  of  opinion,  however,  that  the  provisions  of  the 
regulations  must  be  supplemented  by  thorough  and  well-organized 
bods  for  the  medical  instruction  and  medical  supervision  of 
the  workmen,  and  he  considered  that  neither  Austria  nor  Germany 
was  in  so  favorable  a  position  as  England  in  regard  to  such  enforce- 
ment of  the  requirements,  inasmuch  as  England  already  possesses  a 
Bystem  of  local  sanitary  inspectors  and  medical  officers  of  health. 

Dr.  Kaup  considers  that  the  notification  of  lead  poisoning  should 
be  made  compulsory;  that  vessels  containing  lead  paints  should  be 
labelled  "containing  lead,  and  poisonous."  He  regards  dry  rubbing 
down  as  the  most  important  source  of  danger,  and  in  his  opinion  it 
would  be  possible  to  dispense  entirely  with  dry  rubbing  down. 

Dr.  Kaup  was  questioned  with  regard  to  evidence  taken  by  the 
Austrian   commission.     Ho   stated   that   master   painters,    working 

1  In  Minutrs  of  Evidence,  presented  in  a  separate  volume  of  the  original  report. 


DANGER  IN  USE   OF  LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.       81 

painters  (that  is  working  men),  factory  owners,  and  the  technical 
Staff*  of  factories  were  examined.  Mr.  Meissl,  who  gave  evidence 
later  before  the  present  committee,  was  examined  as  a  practical 
man  who  might  he  regarded  as  a  leading  authority  amongst  paint- 
ers. He  told  the  Austrian  commission  that  he  had  made  extensive 
experiments  with  zinc  white  and  had  found  it  not  sufficiently 
durable  for  outside  use.  A  number  of  other  master  painters  cor- 
roborated this  statement  and  said  that  they  had  also  made 
practical  experiments,  though  not  .scientific  experiments,  and  had 
formed  similar  conclusions.  As  a  whole  the  master  painters  of 
Vienna  said  that  for  outside  painting  they  considered  white  lead 
to  be  absolutely  necessary,  but  on  the  other  hand  the  master  painters 
of  Galieia,  one  of  the  northern  Provinces,  stated  that  quite  satis- 
factory results  might  be  obtained  with  zinc  white.  This  difference 
of  opinion  Dr.  Kaup  attributes  to  the  inferior  quality  which  would 
satisfy  the  people  of  Galieia.  Mr.  Meissl  and  the  other  house  paint- 
ers who  appeared  before  the  Austrian  commission  gave  no  evidence 
based  on  scientific  experiments,  but  stated  that  in  fulfilling  contracts 
it  had  frequently  been  observed  that  zinc  white  was  very  easily 
wiped  off,  while  this  was  not  observed  with  white  lead.  An  inspector 
of  the  Austrian  State  railways  had  also  made  experiments  with 
leadless  paints  and  found  that  surfaces  coated  therewith  showed,  after 
a  very  short  time — not  stated  more  definitely — fissures  and  ruptures 
rendering  the  coat  of  paint  pervious  to  moisture;  this  was  not  the 
case  with  lead  paints.  Mr.  Meissl  and  one  other  witness  were  the 
only  ones  who  were  examined  or  cross-examined  at  any  length 
by  the  Austrian  commission;  the  others  simply  agreed  and  stated 
that  they  had  nothing  they  wished  to  add.  Three  or  four  cases 
were  quoted  of  experiments  which  had  proved  unfavorable  to  leadless 

{>aints;  for  example,  two  houses  at  Lembcrg,  one  painted  with  white 
ead  and  found  after  five  or  six  years  to  be  in  a  condition  capable 
of  being  washed,  the  other  painted  with  lithopone,  which  had  been 
found  not  in  as  good  a  condition  after  some  time,  the  exact  period  not 
being  stated.  A  second  illustration  was  given  where  a  painter  in 
Lemberg  had  painted  his  kitchen  with  lithopone,  which  after  nine 
months  could  be  wiped  off  with  the  dry  hand.  In  addition  to  the 
master  painters,  who  gave  their  opinion  in  support  of  Mr.  Meissl 
and  against  leadless  paints,  there  were  also  present  at  the  inquiry 
certain  experts,  such  as  Mr.  Andes,  the  owner  of  a  paint  factory, 
and  Mr.  Stebzl,  the  owner  of  a  zinc  white  factory.  They  made 
statements  that  lithopone  or  zinc  white  might  yield  very  satisfactory 
results,  but  they  only  said  that  in  their  formal  answers  to  the  ques- 
tions put  without  producing  proof.  Dr.  Kaup  desired  to  emphasize 
the  fact  that  he  attached  particular  importance  to  the  evidence 
given  by  the  master  painters,  but  very  little  to  the  evidence  given 
by  the  factory  owners. 

The  chairman  referred  Dr.  Kaup  to  the  eminently  satisfactory 
experience  with  leadless  paints  on  a  large  scale  in  England,  e.  g.,  the 
savings  bank  buildings,  many  post  offices  and  sorting  offices,  the  top 
structures  of  the  Orient  Steamship  Co.'s  liners,  the  royal  yacht, 
and  other  ships,  the  railway  bridges  and  station  roofs  and  other 
iron  structures,  the  exterior  of  the  London  stock  exchange,  the 
Midland  Railway  Co.'s  carriages  and  wagons,  the  Daimler  Motor  Co.'s 
25235°— Bull.  1SS— 16 6 


82  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUBEAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

vehicles,  and  the  Bradford  Corporation  trams.  In  reply  to  this 
Dr.  Kaup  said  that  he  considered  for  outside  purposes  the  only 
thing  that  is  necessary  is  a  final  coat  of  lead  paint  which  will  resist 
moisture  and  other  influences.  Dr.  Kaup  said  that  the  successful 
instances  of  leadlcss  painting  in  England  coincided  with  the  results 
obtained  by  the  Dutch  and  French  commissions,  and  are  not  in 
agreement  with  the  evidence  of  the  German  and  Austrian  commis- 
sions. In  the  latter  countries  experiments  wire  carried  out  and 
reported  on  in  1911,  the  sense  01  the  report  being  that  leadlcss 
paints  could  be  used  for  inside  painting,  but  with  regard  to  outside 
painting  the  experiments  did  not  lead  to  any  conclusion  either  way. 
At  the  same  time  an  international  movement  was  on  foot  for  the 
prevention  of  lead  poisoning,  and  a  communication  addressed  to 
each  Government  concluded  with  a  request  that  the  use  of  lead 
paints  be  entirely  prohibited  for  inside  purposes,  and  that  those 
used  for  outside  purposes  should  be  labeled  as  containing  lead  and 
poisonous.  Dr.  Kaup  said  that  in  the  Austrian  and  German  experi- 
ments zinc  paints  were  mixed  with  the  same  medium  as  is  used  for 
lead  paints. 

The  enforcement  of  regulations  is  intrusted  to  the  factory  inspect- 
ors, who  are  more  numerous  than  in  England.  Dr.  Kaup  stated  that 
Germany  has  the  biggest  number  of  factory  inspectors  per  factory  and 
Austria  the  second  biggest  number,  so  that  England  comes  third.1 
Cases  of  infringement  of  the  regulations  are  also  detected  by  means  of 
complaint  sent  by  the  workers.  All  painting  operations  are  liable  to 
inspection,  whether  in  private  houses  or  otherwise.  Dr.  Kaup  was 
not  quite  sure  as  to  the  right  of  entry  into  a  private  house,  but  said  ho 
had  never  heard  any  objection  raised.  In  Dr.  Kaup's  opinion  the  pro- 
hibition of  the  use  of  lead  for  interior  painting  is  quite  strictly  ob- 
served in  Vienna;  inspections  and  tests  are  made  by  the  inspectors 
and  the  control  is  greatly  facilitated  by  the  declaration  of  lead  con- 
tents required  to  be  placed  on  vessels  containing  lead  paints.  Dr. 
Kaup  agreed  that  the  control  was  quite  insufficient  to  prevent  the  use 
of  lead  throughout  the  country,  but  thought  that  in  Vienna  very  little, 
if  any,  white  lead  is  used  for  internal  purposes,  because  the  prohibi- 
tion of  the  use  of  white  lead  for  such  painting  was  made  at  the  sugges- 
tion of  the  master  painters  of  Vienna. 

"With  regard  to  the  requirement  of  washing  accommodation  for 
painters,  Dr.  Kaup  stated  that  this  provision  is  only  carried  out  effi- 
ciently in  fixed  workshops.  The  periodical  medical  examination 
takes  place  in  Austria  every  three  months  and  in  Germany  every  six 
months  at  the  expense  of  the  employer.  In  Belgium  there  is  a  similar 
periodical  medical  examination  paid  for  partly  by  the  State  and  partly 
by  the  employer. 

In  neither  the  Austrian  nor  the  German  regulations  is  there  any 
specific  exemption  for  people  who  voluntarily  use  leadless  paints. 
Dr.  Kaup  thinks  such  an  inducement  to  use  leadless  materials  to  bo 
very  desirable.  The  Austrian  exemption  applying  to  firms  who 
employ  less  than  20  workers  was  a  particular  concession  to  the  small 
employ*  r. 

Referring  to  the  statistics  showing  progressive  decrease  in  the  number 
of  cases  of  lead  poisoning,  Dr.  Kaup  considered  that  the  reduction  from 

1  The  actual  numbers  of  factory  inspectors  are  for  Germany.  516  in  1010;  for  Austria,  110  in  1009 — see 
Appendis  XVI  [Minutes  of  Evidence];  while  the  number  for  the  United  Kingdom  was  197  hi  l'j09-10. 


DANGEE  IN  USE  OF  LEAD  IN  THE  PAINTING  OF  BUILDINGS.       83 

5.5  per  cent  down  to  3.5  per  cent  represents  a  very  considerable  im- 
provement; he  agreed  that  the  lowest  figure  3.5  per  cent  in  1910,  is 
still  very  much  higher  than  a  fair  industrial  risk.  Dr.  Kaup  referred 
to  Dr.  Telcky's  figures  of  lead  poisoning  in  Austria,  based  on  the 
returns  of  the  sickness  insurance  society,1  and  gave  his  opinion  regard- 
ing the  proportion  of  cases  due  to  inside  and  outside  painting.  Dr. 
Kaup  considered  that  the  prohibition  of  lead  for  inside  work  would 
reduce  the  number  of  cases  to  a  figure  wMeh  would  constitute  a  fair 
trade  risk;  while  he  did  not  think  there  was  a  very  grave  danger  from 
the  use  of  lead  in  outside  painting  he  attributed  very  few  cases  to 
inside  painting,  and  gave  as  an  example  Air.  MeissPs  experience  in 
1909  when  he  had  40  lead  poisoning  cases,  none  of  them  ascribable  to 
inside  work. 

On  the  subject  of  inspection  Dr.  Kaup  reiterated  that  the  number 
of  inspectors  in  Austria  is  very  insufficient,  and  added  that  he  re- 
garded it  as  necessary  to  have  inspectors  dealing  only  with  this  par- 
ticular branch  of  industry.  In  Germany  the  proportion  of  factory 
inspectors  is  slightly  higher,  and  every  factory  and  workshop  must  be 
inspected  at  least  once  a  year,  but  the  arrangements  for  visiting  tem- 
porary working  places  are  not  so  drastic  as  in  Austria.  Dr.  Kaup 
agreed  that  the  rate  of  improvement,  as  judged  from  the  lead  poison- 
ing figures,  leaves  much  to  be  desired;  ho  attributes  the  slow  rate  of 
improvement  to  lack  of  control,  In  England,  in  the  witness's  opinion, 
the  factory  inspectors  could  rely  on  much  support  in  their  work  from 
the  sanitary  inspectors.  The  witness  also  stated  that  a  recent  move- 
ment in  Germany  would  probably  result  in  the  prohibition  of  the  uso 
of  lead  for  inside  painting  as  in  Austria. 

Dr.  Kaup  indicated  the  lines  on  winch  he  would  suggest  to  improve 
the  Austrian  regulations  and  said  he  thought  a  proper  apprenticeship 
m  would  gradually  reduce  the  danger  of  lead  poisoning. 

Dr.  Rambousek  is  a  Government  official  of  the  Kingdom  of  Bo- 
hemia, one  of  the  chief  industrial  Provinces  of  Austria ;  he  is  a  member 
of  the  highest  administrative  authority  of  the  Kingdom,  and  lias  been 
stationed  at  Prague  since  the  beginning  of  1907,  when  he  was  also 
appointed  professor  of  hygiene  of  the  German  Technical  High  School 
at  Prague.     He  has  written  numerous  works  on  industrial  poisoning. 

He  described  the  organization  of  the  inspecting  authority  of 
Kingdom  of  Bohemia,  and  explained  the  manner  in  which  the  officials 
ire  able  to  collect  statistics  of  lead  poisoning  cases,  which  are  as 
follows : 

KINGDOM  OF  BOTTEMIA—  CASES  OF  LEAD  POISONINQ. 


Year. 
0) 

Total  ?iiim- 
lier  <>:  • 

(2) 

Number  of 

era  included 

!'!mn 
(2). 

(3) 

106 
91 

117 
)  .: 
89 
70 

17 
18 
24 

13 
9 



1906  







1910.... 

See  Appendix  XXX11I  [Minutes  of  Evidence]. 


84  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

Dr.  Rambousek  pointed  qut  that  these  figures  arc  not  complete  as  a 
great  many  cases  escape  reporting.  The  figures,  even  allowing  for 
the  more  exact  inquiries  made  in  1910  than  in  previous  years,  show 
the  beneficial  results  of  the  efforts  to  check  lead  poisoning;  the  wit- 
ness attributed  the  improvement  mainly  to  the  regulations  of  1908. 

The  figures  of  course  include  cases  of  industrial  poisoning  occurring 
in  factories ;  they  are  not  confined  to  house  painters.  Dr.  Ilambousek 
however,  quoted  them  as  showing  the  effect  which  can  be  obtained  by 
regulations  without  prohibition;  but  at  the  same  time  deplored  the 
imperfect  observance  of  regulations  in  Austria  owing  to  the  lack  of 
inspectors  and  official  doctors.  He  added  that"  he  understood  that 
''in  England  circumstances  are  far  more  favorable." 

With  regard  to  the  prohibition  of  the  use  of  lead  for  inside  painting, 
Dr.  Rambousek  referred  to  the  difficulty  of  distinguishing  between 
inside  and  outside  work,  and  stated  that  in  his  opinion  the  prohibition 
of  lead  for  inside  work  was  largely  evaded.  Dr.  Rambousek  con- 
sidered the  prohibition  of  the  use  of  a  dangerous  article  to  be  a  mode 
of  dealing  with  the  danger  which  is  "somewhat  childish  in  its  sim- 
plicity"; he  thought  it  would  lead  to  an  intolerable  interference  with 
the  machinery  of  civilization  if  it  were  applied  to  all  substances  which 
are  of  greater  danger  than  white  lead. 

Among  the  regulations  to  be  observed  by  workers  who  use  lead, 
Dr.  Rambousek  laid  great  stress  upon  personal  cleanliness  and  the 
instruction  of  the  workman.  First  it  would  bo  necessary  to  prohibit 
dangerous  processes  such  as  dry  rubbing  down,  and  to  provide  for  the 
workmen  the  means  of  cleanliness.  Dr.  Rambousek  attaches  great 
importance  to  the  duty  of  declaring  when  a  pigment  contains  lead, 
e.  g.,  by  labeling  the  receptacle.  He  added  that  in  any  scheme  of 
regulations  there  should  be  provision  for  periodical  medical  inspection. 

Dr.  Rambousek  was  questioned  closely  regarding  the  number  of 
factory  inspectors  in  Bohemia  and  the  extent  of  their  duties.  He 
admitted  that  the  inspection  could  not  be  frequent  enough  to  establish 
with  absolute  certainty  the  observance  of  the  regulations  in  all  places 
to  which  they  relate.  Dr.  Rambousek  dealt  further  with  the  incom- 
pleteness of  lead  poisoning  figures  in  Bohemia,  and  made  it  clear  that 
the  special  case  which  he  had  quoted  as  showing  the  most  gratifying 
improvement,  namely,  a  reduction  from  25  cases  in  1906  to  2  per 
anni  im  i  n  recent  years,  was  a  white  lead  works.  In  reply  to  a  question 
as  to  whether  the  inspection  of  a  factory  is  not  a  very  different  thing 
from  the  inspection  of  a  large  number  of  private  houses,  Dr.  Ram- 
bousek replied,  "I  still  maintain  that  this  shows  that  in  every  case,  if 
regulations  are  well  enforced,  the  regulations  will  show  beneficial 
results."  He  admitted  that  if  the  majority  of  the  employers  pre- 
ferred the  prohibition  of  the  use  of  lead  to  a  system  of  cumbrous  and 
irksome  regulations,  there  is  nothing  more  to  be  said;  he  added  that 
the  greatest  resistance  in  Austria  does  not  come  from  the  master  paint- 
ers, but  from  the  makers  of  white  lead,  because  Austria,  and  particu- 
larly Carinthia,  lias  a  very  big  lead  industry.  The  witness  expressed 
grave  doubts  as  to  the  existence  of  satisfactory  substitutes  for  lead, 
and  referred  to  a  number  of  experiments  carried  out  in  Bohemia  on 
Government  works  by  big  private  contractors;  the  latter's  replies 
were  to  the  effect  that  the  lead-free  paints  were  not  satisfactory  sub- 
stitutes for  white  lead;  the  chief  objection  was  insufficient  covering 


DANGER  IN  USE   OF   LEAD  IX   TEE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.        85 

power  and  insufficient  durability.  Both  lithopone  and  zinc  paints 
were  used,  and  the  result  was  always  the  same. 

In  Bohemia  a  workingman  suffering  from  lead  poisoning  is  entitled 
to  compensation  during  the  time  that  he  is  actually  ill. 

Dr.  Kambousek  reiterated  (answer  to  Q.  14598)  that  the  commis- 
sion on  the  question  between  prohibition  and  cumbersome  regula- 
tions had  to  decide  in  favor  of  the  latter  "because  they  had  to  place 
a  very  high  value  on  the  white  lead  industry;  Austria  is  otherwise  an 
industrially  poor  country  and  the  prohibition  would  cause  a  very 
great  industrial  loss  and  general  economic  disturbance."  This,  how- 
ever, Dr.  Rambousek  did  not  consider  the  sole  reason  for  the  decision 
in  favor  of  regulations;  in  his  opinion  the  impossibility  of  replacing 
white  lead  by  any  substitute  was  an  equally  big  factor. 

Mr.  O.  Meissl  stated  that  he  was  a  master  painter  in  Vienna  with 
over  30  years'  experience  and  possessing  also  chemical  knowledge; 
he  employs  300  to  400  hands.  He  referred  to  the  evidence  given  by 
him  as  representing  Viennese  master  painters  before  the  Austrian 
Commission  on  Lead  Poisoning,  and  spoke  of  the  beneficial  results 
which  had  accrued  from  the  regulations  issued  on  25th  of  April,  1908. 
As  regards  enforcement,  he  explained  that  the  painters  of  Vienna  all 
belong  to  a  sickness  insurance  office;  many  of  the  trade-union  officials 
being  also  officials  under  the  sickness  insurance  scheme,  there  is  a 
strong  tendency  for  the  sickness  insurance  office  to  report  every  pos- 
sible broach  of  the  regulations  to  which  its  attention  is  called  by  a 
painter  applying  for  sick  pay;  from  the  employer's  point  of  view  the 
regulations  are  quite  sufficiently  enforced  in  this  way. 

Mr.  Meissl  stated  that  he  had  spent  a  good  deal  of  time  and  money 
in  endeavoring  to  procure  or  make  an  effective  substitute  for  white 
lead,  but  in  his  judgment  and  experience  the  latter  material  is  indis- 
pensable for  outside  painting  owing  to  its  special  properties  and  its 
exceptional  durability  and  covering  power.  For  inside  painting 
whito  lead  has  not  so  great  an  advantage  over  zinc  white,  but  oven 
there  white  load  is  indispensable  for  specially  damp  places. 

Mr.  Meissl  undertakes  large  contracts  in  connection  with  the  paint- 
ing of  bridges  and  other  steel  structures  and  considers  red  lead  to  be 
indispensable  for  this  purpose. 

In  his  opinion,  one  of  the  most  important  provisions  of  the  regula- 
tions is  the  requirement  of  a  declaration  when  a  pigment  contains 
lead.  In  his  experience  smoking,  especially  cigarette  smoking, 
greatly  increases  the  predisposition  to  lead  poisoning.  He  further 
riders  that  no  one  should  be  reemployed  after  an  attack  of  lead 
poisoning  without  a  certificate  of  recovery.  He  agreed  with  the 
report  of  the  Austrian  commission  in  attaching  great  importance  to 
the  prohibition  of  rubbing  down  as  the  chief  cause  of  lead  poisoning 
amongst  houso  painters.  In  his  own  opinion  and  that  of  other  ex- 
perts in  tho  trade,  there  is  no  process  of  dry  rubbing  down  which 
could  not  1)0  replaced  by  wet  nibbing. 

Questioned  in  regard  to  tho  experience  of  tho  English  office  of 
Works  with  substitutes  for  lead  paints,  Mr.  Meissl  thought  that  the 
reason  for  tho  difference  between  their  experience  and  his  oxperionce 
in  Vienna  may  be  found  in  the  difference  of  climate. 

With  regard  to  bridge  painting,  Mr.  Meissl  acknowledged  that  very 
good  dark  colors  can  bo  produced  without  lead  for  tho  protective 
painting  of  ironwork.  Mr.  Meissl  stated  that  it  was  common  for  him 
to  give  a  fivo  years'  guaranty  for  work  exocuted  with  white  lead; 


86  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUKEAU   OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

but  he  declines  responsibility  for  the  durability  of  the  paint  whenever 
using  other  than  lead  paints. 

Since  the  regulations  have  come  into  force  Mr.  Meissl  has  had  about 
six  or  seven  cases  of  load  poisoning  per  annum  amongst  his  painters, 
who  number  from  300  to  400  in  the  season,  but  fall  off  to  about  120 
or  130  in  January.  Ho  contends  that  the  majority  of  the  cases  are 
slight.  The  regulation  requiring  medical  inspection  of  the  men  is 
not  strictly  enforced.  With  regard  to  the  Austrian  regulations  in 
general,  he  considers  that  another  five  or  six  years  will  be  required 
before  they  will  be  quite  understood  and  carried  out;  he  regards  the 
lead  poisoning  evil  as  sufficiently  serious  to  render  regulations  abso- 
lutely necessary. 

Mr.  Ricker-Devrocde  stated  that  he  had  been  in  business  as  a  mas- 
ter painter  in  Brussols  for  25  years,  and  is  president  of  the  Brussels 
Chambre  Syndicate  of  Painters  and  Decorators. 

lie  used  to  mix  all  his  own  lead  colors  prior  to  July,  1910,  when 
this  was  forbidden  by  the  Belgian  decree. 

Zinc  white  is  largely  used  in  Belgium  for  interiors  and  is  a  better 
white  color,  but  does  not  incorporate  the  oil.  The  witness  said  he 
had  found  no  efficient  substitute  for  white  lead  for  outside  painting, 
and  even  for  certain  inside  work  which  is  unduly  exposed  to  moisture. 
Mr.  Ricker-Devroede  detailed  the  steps  which  had  led  up  to  the  Bel- 
gian legislation  dealing  with  the  use  of  lead  in  painting. 

The  first  decree,  dated  May  13,  1905,  came  into  force  on  August  15, 
1908,  and  included  regulations  dealing  with  the  grinding  and  car- 
riage of  white  lead,  the  prohibition  of  dry  nibbing  down,  the  provision 
of  working  clothes  and  washing  appliances,  and  quarterly  medical 
examination.  These  regulations  drew  forth  an  emphatic  protest  on 
the  19th  of  May,  1907,  from  the  master  painters'  federation,  who  had 
reiterated  a  resolution  passed  at  their  Liege  congress  in  1905  to  the 
effect  that  "although  white  lead  was  irreplaceable  for  certain  work, 
they  preferred  a  total  prohibition  of  its  use,  making,  or  importation, 
to  a  regulation  which  they  were  unanimously  of  opinion  was  inappli- 
cable to  their  work  places"  (Q.  14841). 

This  was  followed  by  a  further  report  by  the  "section  centralo, " 
who,  on  the  19th  of  February,  1908,  reported  that  "the  Belgian 
Legislature  is  justified  in  regulating,  limiting,  or  even  prohibiting  the 
use  of  white  lead  for  painting,  provided  there  is  a  roal  necessity  to  do 
so  relatively  to  the  danger  run"  (Q.  14844);  but  they  also  reported 
strongly  in  regard  to  the  injury  that  would  be  done  to  the  white  lead 
manufacturer,  and  concluded  by  recommending  the  adoption  of  addi- 
tional regulations  rather  than  prohibition.  After  further  considera- 
tion, the  Belgian  Parliament  passod  the  law  of  August  20,  1909, 
prohibiting  dry  rubbing  down  and  providing  for  regulations  to  be 
made  controlling  tho  uso  of  white  lead;  such  regulations  were  made  by 
royal  decree  of  July  25,  1910,  and  provide  further  for  tho  uso  of  white 
lead  in  paste  form  only,  tho  avoidance  of  handling  and  splashing,  the 
keeping  clean  of  material  and  tools,  the  provision  of  washing  accom- 
modation, and  quarterly  medical  examination  of  workmen  at  the 
expense  of  the  employer;  the  employer  is  also  required  to  see  that 
tho  workmen  wear  overalls  and  head  coverings.     (See  Appendix  VII.1) 

In  further  examination  Mr.  Ricker-Devroede  said  there  were  about 
4,000  master  house  painters  in  Belgium,  some  of  whom  uso  only  white 

1  In  Minutes  of  Evidence,  presented  in  a  separate  volume  of  the  original  report. 


DACTGEE  IN  USE   OF   LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING    OF   BUILDINGS.       87 

lead;  none  of  them  use  only  zinc.  If  zinc  white  only  were  used,  the 
education  of  the  painter  would  have  to  be  recommenced.  This  is 
the  only  difficulty  with  regard  to  interior  painting. 

The  witness  described  the  medium  which  he  had  used  for  zinc 
paints,  and  said  they  never  added  varnish  for  interior  work.  He 
would  prefer  to  use  white  lead  for  durability  wherever  the  paint  is 
exposed  to  moisture. 

He  estimated  the  number  of  painters  in  Belgium  as  25,000  to 
30,000,  but  said  there  were  no  statistics  of  any  kind  as  to  the  inci- 
dence of  lead  poisoning.  He  admitted  that  certain  of  the  regulations 
dealing  with  dry  grinding  and  carriage  of  dry  white  lead  would  not 
be  applicable  in  England,  as  the  painter  obtains  practically  all  his 
white  lead  in  the  form  of  paste.  He  also  agreed  that  it  would  be 
impossible  to  enforce  regulations  by  inspection  in  private  houses,  but 
said  in  practice  if  dry  rubbing  down  were  done  the  worker  would 
report  such  breach  of  the  law  to  his  trade-union.  Dry  rubbing  down 
is  a  very  dangerous  process— the  witness  alleged  that  it  would  per- 
haps be  just  as  dangerous,  but  probably  in  a  different  way,  with  zinc 
paints,  and  maintained  that  dry  rubbing  down  can  be  entirely  dis- 
pensed with. 

The  men  supply  themselves  with  overalls,  and  various  washing 
appliances  are  supplied  by  the  employer;  the  use  of  these  is  only 
enforced  by  the  interference  of  fellow  workmen  or  as  the  result  of 
questions  put  to  the  workers  by  the  medical  examiners  at  the  quar- 
terly examination.  He  did  not  consider  that  the  medical  examina- 
tion was  sufficiently  severe  in  Belgium  at  present. 

Mr.  Ricker-Dovroede  put  in  a  letter  *  in  which  the  Belgian  Associa- 
tion of  Master  House  Painters  state:  "Of  all  these  regulations  the 
most  iniquitous  is  the  medical  inspection  imposed  on  the  operative 
painter.  This  provision,  which  is  vexatious  and  humiliating,  is  with- 
out any  effect  (Q.  14926).  The  witness  stated  that  he  signed  this 
letter  in  his  capacity  of  president  of  the  association;  it  does  not  rep- 
resent his  personal  opinion. 

The  Federation  of  Master  Painters  in  Belgium  only  embraces  about 
800  out  of  the  4,000  master  painters  in  the  country,  but  these  800 
include  most  of  the  principal  firms  and  employ  more  than  half  the 
house  painters  in  the  country.  These  800  passed  a  resolution  at 
their  congress  in  Liege  in  1905  in  favor  of  prohibition  of  the  use  of 
lead  rather  than  regulations;  they  set  forth  the  same  views  again 
in  a  memorial  dated  May  19,  1907,  and  again  in  a  letter  dated  Sep- 
tember 30,  1911.  The  other  3,200  master  painters  took  no  action 
except  to  issue  a  protest  before  the  regulations  were  passed  claiming 
that  there  was  no  danger  in  using  lead  in  house  painting. 

Mr.  Ricker-Devroede  further  added  that  the  Belgian  State  railways 
had  had  t  rouble  with  zinc  white,  and  had  returned  to  the  use  of  white 
lead  at  their  works  at  Malines,  where  3,500  workmen,  including  at 
least  .500  painters,  are  employed.2 

Mr.  Ricker-Devroede  further  emphasized  the  importance  of  the 
white  lead  industry  in  Belgium,  and  the  danger  which  existed  in  his 
opinion  of  a  monopoly  arising  in  regard  to  zinc  white. 

1  See  Appendix  XVIII  [Minutes  of  Evidence.] 

2  Tip  )  to  the  contrary  submit 
the  cominiitoo  (see  Q.  21823), and  confirmed  through  the  Foreign  Oilice  (see  p.  not. 


88  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 


\  E.   Expert-Bezancon  stated  that  he  is  principal  partner  in 
jrt-Bezancon  &  Co.,  of  Aubervilliers,  near  -Paris,  with  works  near 


Mr. 

Expei 

Lille,  where  both  white  and  red  lead  are  manufactured.  He  quoted 
the  French  law  of  July  20,  1909,  prohibiting  the  use  of  white  lead 
in  the  painting  of  buildings  after  January  1,  1915.  He  stated  that 
this  law  had  had  no  effect  up  to  then,  inasmuch  as  master  painters 
are  using  the  same  quantities  of  white  lead  as  before. 

The  witness  gave  many  details  regarding  the  inquiry  carried  out 
by  the  French"  Parliamentary  Commission  on  White  Lead,  and 
dealt  with  various  distinguished  men  who  expressed  themselves  against 
prohibition.  He  strongly  criticized  the  method  of  collecting  statis- 
tics of  lead  poisoning  which  were  quoted  in  that  report. 

Mr.  Expert-Bezancon  next  referred  to  unsuccessful  attempts  to 
manufacture  zinc  white,  which  he  said  was  largely  a  monopoly  of 
the  Vieille  Montague  Co.  He  stated  (Q.  15103)  that  his  conclusion 
is  simple,  namely,  that  a  mistake  has  been  made  in  France. 

In  further  examination  the  witness  said  that  he  knew  of  only  one 
firm  in  France  which  uses  zinc  white  exclusively,  and  quoted  a  num- 
ber of  authorities  who  disagree  with  the  French  law.  He  admitted 
that  he  spoke  as  a  white  lead  manufacturer,  but  he  considered  that 
prohibition  was  also  unfair  to  French  master  painters. 

The  use  of  white  lead  on  public  buildings  in  France  has  been  aban- 
doned for  10  years,  but  the  witness  maintained  that  the  painting  with 
zinc  had  been  more  expensive. 

Mr.  Nooijen  stated  that  he  was  a  member  of  the  Guild  of  Dutch 
Master  Painters  and  closely  followed  the  work  of  the  Dutch  commis- 
sion in  1903.  He  stated  that  his  guild  does  not  object  to  the  accu- 
racy of  the  final  conclusions  of  the  commission  having  regard  to  the 
materials  used  for  its  experiments,  but  it  is  generally  considered 
that  the  zinc  white  paint  prescribed  by  the  commission  was  too  thick 
to  work  with,  and  it  is  alleged  that  it  was  frequently  diluted  with  oil. 
The  opinion  of  master  painters  in  Holland  is  that  lead  is  much  better 
for  exterior  painting  than  zinc  white  as  it  resists  the  action  of  the 
atmosphere,  although  the  lead  is  liable  to  discoloration  where  there 
is  sulphuretted  hydrogen  in  the  air. 

Mr.  Nooijen  stated  that  he  had  tried  all  the  substitutes  for  white 
lead  known  to  him ;  he  painted  his  own  house  with  zinc  white  mixed 
with  stand  oil  and  found  that  it  Tasted  three  years  at  the  southwest 
side  and  four  years  at  the  northeast  side.  White  lead  mixed  with 
stand  oil  or  boiled  oil  would  last  several  years  longer.  White  lead  is 
not  used  in  Holland  for  finishing  interior  painting;  zinc  white  is  nearly 
always  used.  The  interior  of  witness's  house,  painted  nine  years  ago 
with  zinc  white  mixed  with  stand  oil,  is  still  in  excellent  condition. 

Mr.  Nooijen  explained  that  stand  oil  is  linseed  oil  which  has  been 
boiled  for  a  very  long  time  and  is  of  two  kinds,  thick  and  thin.  The 
latter  is  most  suitable  for  inside  work  and  the  former  for  outside  work. 
For  inside  work  zinc  white  mixed  with  stand  oil  forms  a  very  strong 
glossy  paint,  but  must  be  thinned  with  turpentine;  zinc  white  with 
stand  oil  forms  a  very  strong  paint  for  outside  use,  but  must  be  thinned 
with  raw  linseed  oil.  White  lead  mixed  with  stand  oil  and  thinned 
with  linseed  oil  makes,  however,  the  best  of  all  paints  for  exterior 
work  except  for  its  liability  to  change  color  in  the  presence  of  sul- 
phuretted hydrogen.  It  is  impervious  to  atmospheric  changes  and 
does  not  crack  with  variations  of  temperature.     Zinc  white  does  not 


•   DANGER  IN  USE  OF  LEAD  IX  THE  PAINTING  OF  BUILDINGS.   89 

offer  the  same  resistance  to  humidity,  and  in  ordinary  circumstances 
the  witness  estimated  its  life  for  exterior  painting  at  three  years  as 
against  five  years  for  white  lead.  Zinc  white,  even  when  mixed  with 
stand  oil,  is  very  badly  affected  by  sulphuric  acid;  this  chemical  is 
present  in  the  humid  smoky  atmosphere  of  Amsterdam,  where  zinc 
white  was  found  to  last  one  year  only,  whilst  in  the  clear  air  at  Utrecht 
it  lasted  four  years.  Mr.  Nooijen  stated  that  the  outside  of  ships 
are  painted  below  the  water  line  with  red  lead  and  linseed  oil,  above 
the  water  line  with  iron  oxide  and  linseed  oil,  over  which  zinc  white 
is  used. 

For  filling  or  stopping,  white  lead  is  still  used  in  Holland,  but  in 
witness's  opinion  it  can  be  replaced  by  zinc  white.  In  Holland  old 
paint  is  generally  rubbed  down  wet;  there  is  no  dry  rubbing  process 
except  among  ship  painters. 

There  arc  at  present  no  regulations  of  any  kind  affecting  house 
painters  in  Holland,  but  it  is  probable  that  such  will  be  issued  as  a 
consequence  of  the  findings  of  the  white  lead  commission.  Largo 
quantities  of  white  lead  are  used  by  the  Netherlands  Government. 

In  further  examination  Mr.  Nooijen  stated  that  in  his  opinion  lead 
poisoning  does  not  exist  among  house  painters  in  Holland,  notwith- 
standing that  the  commission  was  appointed  in  1903  to  inquire  into 
the  use  of  white  lead  paints.  There  are  no  statistics  regarding  lead 
poisoning  among  Dutch  house  painters.  The  witness  stated  he  was 
in  agreement  with  the  conclusions  of  the  Dutch  commission  regard- 
ing the  action  of  sulphuric  acid  and  humidity  on  zinc  paints ;  for  ex- 
ternal use  he  considered  that  white  lead  should  stand  over  five  years 
in  a  humid  atmosphere.  For  inside  work  in  Holland  there  is  never 
such  an  excessive  amount  of  moisture. 

He  was  not  in  agreement  with  the  fifth  conclusion  of  the  commis- 
sion, which  was  that 

Zinc  white  paints  applied  on  zinc,  Portland  cement,  or  iron  (the  latter  having  pre- 
viously been  provided  with  first  coats  of  red  oxide  of  lead  or  iron)  are  ablr>  t'>  vdthstand 
the  action  of  the  open  air  during  five  years  quite  as  well  as  white  lead  paints,  and  can 
entirely  replace  the  latter,  provided  they  are  not  exposed  to  the  action  of  vapors  con- 
taining sulphurous  acid. 

In  the  witness's  opinion  zinc  white,  if  used  for  exterior  painting,- 
would  only  stand  for  H  to  2  years  on  the  south  side  of  a  building  in 
a  wet  atmosphere.  On  the  north  side,  where  it  is  not  exposed  to 
the  sun,  it  would  stand  2\  years  to  3  years  as  against  3  to  4  years  for 
white  lead.  The  commission  considered  zinc  white  satisfactory  ex- 
cept for  window  sills  and  cornice  work;  witness  estimated  such  work  as 
forming  one-sixth  or  one-eighth  part  of  the  paint  work  of  a  building. 

Mr.  Nooijen  disagreed  also  with  some  of  the  other  findings  of  the 
commission,  partly  because  the  tests  were  not  carried  out  in  a  prac- 
tical way,  although  he  admitted  there  were  two  representatives  of 
master  painters  on  the  commission  and  these  signed  the  report. 

Mr.  Nooijen  expressed  himself  in  favor  of  a  regulation  for  {\\o,  pro- 
hibition of  dry  rubbing  down.  He  considered  that  pumice  stone 
and  water  could  be  used  on  a  fresh  coat  of  paint  after  drying  for  24 
hours.  He  also  advocated  supply  of  washing  conveniences  lor  the 
workmen. 

As  regards  the  enforcement  of  regulations,  Mr.  Nooij en  stated  that 
the  workmen  usually  report  irregularities  arid  there  is  also  plenly 
of  inspection  even  in  private  houses;  he  believed  the  special  rules 


90  BULLETIN    OF    THE    BUREAU    OF    LABOR    STATISTICS. 

to  be  applied  to  house  painters  would  bo  as  complete  as  those  which 
are  in  force  today  in  the  potteries  in  Holland. 

Mr.  Nooijen  stated  that  the  Guild  of  Master  Painters  in  Holland 
(outside  Amsterdam)  includes  1,300  to  1,400  master  painters  em- 
ploying about  10,000  men.  In  connection  with  this  organization 
there  is  a  large  insurance  society,  of  which  the  witness  is  secretary. 
White  lead  poisoning  is  an  accident  under  the  Dutch  law1  and  if  a 
case  occurred  70  per  cent  of  the  man's  wages  would  have  to  be  paid 
as  compensation.  This  law  has  been  in  force  since  1903,  but  not  a 
single  case  has  come  to  the  witness's  knowledge. 

Mr.  K.  W.  Goadby  is  a  consulting  pathologist,  of  Harley  Street, 
London,  who  has  devoted  special  attention  to  questions  of  lead 
poisoning.  Included  in  his  publications  on  the  subject  may  be 
mentioned  Appendices  XXIV"  and  XXV  of  the  departmental  com- 
mittee on  the  use  of  lead  compounds  in  the  manufacture  of  pottery, 
and  a  book  on  "Lead  Poisoning  and  Lead  Absorption,"  written  in 
collaboration  with  Dr.  T.  M.  Lcgge,  H.M.  medical  inspector  of 
factories. 

In  connection  with  lead  poisoning  amongst  painters  Mr.  Goadby 
made  experiments  with  white  lead,  litharge,  zinc  sulphide,  zinc 
oxide,  and  basic  lead  sulphate.  He  also  experimented  with  turpen- 
tine and  linseed  oil.  The  apparatus  used  for  the  experiments  is 
fully  described  in  his  evidence,  and  the  results  obtained  pointed 
conclusively  to  there  being  no  load  present  in  the  emanations  even 
at  more  than  tropical  temperatures.  Mr.  Goadby  had  discussed 
the  matter  with  Professor  Baly  and  agreed  with  him  that  emanations 
are  present;  those  emanations  contain  all  sorts  of  organic  com- 
pounds, but  no  lead  compounds.  In  experiments  made  with  lead 
and  oil  Mr.  Goadby  obtained  a  definite  amount  of  vapor  in  which 
even  at  ordinary  tomporatures  the  curious  painty  smell  was  clearly 
observable.  With  zinc  and  oil  this  peculiar  smell  was  scarcely 
discernible  at  all  at  normal  tomporatures.  This  the  witness  accounted 
for  by  reference  to  the  chemical  roaction  between  the  lead  and  the 
oil;  apparently  zinc  does  not  interact  at  normal  temperatures  to 
form  linoleates.  In  these  conclusions  Mr.  Goadby  differs  from  the 
conclusions  of  M.  Breton,  Dr.  Hcim,  M.  Ilebcrt,  and  Dr.  Marie,  who 
carried  out  experiments  for  the  French  Government  inquiry.  This 
divergency  of  results  Mr.  Goadby  attributed  to  an  absence  of  reliabil- 

"  Inquiry  made  through  the  Foreign  Office  does  not  confirm  this,  except  as  regards  an  acute  case.    The 
official  reply  is  as  fallows: 

MEMORANDUM. 

1  poisoning  i-i  n  vt  a  professional  accident  according  to  the  Dutch  la-.v,  but  it  is  regarded  as  a  m  ofes- 
sianal  disease,  when  the  law  bad  only  been  i.i  opera!  ion  for  a  short  time  a  case  was  submit  ted  to  a  court 
of  law  in  which  compensation  was  claimed  by  a  painter's  workman  suffering  from  pain  in  the  abdomen 
which  '  'i  to  white Ii  •.    The  central  council  of  appeal  considered  (verdict  No. 

04,  De  I  hat  it  is  unnecessary  to  ascertain  whether  the  physical  suffering  which  S.  experi- 

enced  on  10th  April,  1903.  was  eau  ed  by  lead  poisoning,  and  whether  tin's  poisoning  was  the  consequence 
of  the  i  if  the  trade,  as,  even  if  this  wei  ;  could  not  be  regarded  as  being 

an  accidenl  b  the  lecideni  Insurance  Law,  1901." 

Tli is  was  also  the  standpoint  of  the  directors  of  the  State  Insurance  Bank,  and  since  that  time  courts  of 
■  tin  called  upon  to  pronounce  judgment  in  a  similar  case. 

one  instance  paid  for  poisoning  by  white  lead,  namely,  when  it  was 
!  i  the  ease  as  acute  poisoning,  as,  in  fact,  suffering  which  is  the  usual  consequence  of  a 

profe  iskmal  rally  regarded  as  an  accident  when  it  occurs  in  an  acute  form  as  a  result  of  sudden 

lion  (of  a  poison). 
Thus,  in  September,  1907,  two  persons  had  opened  a  cask  of  white  lead  and  had  worked  it,  in  doing 
which  white  lead  powder  was  diffused  in  the  air  to  a  much  greater  extent  than  was  otherwise  the  case, 
and  a  considerable  quantity  was  probably  imbibed  through  the  mouth.     When  fairly  shortly  afterwards 
both  workmen  ber-ame  suddenly  ill,  suilering  from  severe  abdominal  cramp,  hard  swollen  abdomen, 
nausea, vomiting — in  shortallthe  phenomena  oi"  acute  poisoning,  it  was  decided  that  a  professional  accident 
ijrred. 
So  far  as  is  known  this  has  been  the  only  case  of  this  nature. 


DANGER  IN  USE  OF  LEAD  IN  THE  PAINTING  OF  BUILDINGS.       91. 

ity  in  the  test  described  by  M.  Triilat,  which  was  mainly  used  by 
the  French  observers.  He  agreed  that  it  would  be  an  excellent 
thing  to  ask  the  Government  laboratory  to  investigate  and  report 
on  the  tests  in  question.  1 

Mr.  Goadby  next  dealt  with  phvsiological  experiments  and 
described  the  apparatus  used.  Animals  were  exposed  to  the  vapors 
arising  from  paints  made  with  white  lead,  zinc  oxide,  zinc  sulphide, 
and  lead  sulphate.  Similar  effects  were  produced  in  all  cases,  but 
the  distinctive  structural  changes  in  the  kidneys  were  those  indicative 
of  tubal  nephritis,  whereas  the  kidneys  of  animals  suffering  from 
definite  lead  poisoning  show,  as  reported  in  connection  with  the 
potteries  inquiry,  interstitial  nephritis.  Although  the  ultimate 
results  were  very  similar,  the  animals  exposed  to  the  lead  paint 
on  the  whole  showed  severer  symptoms  than  those  exposed  to  the 
zinc  paint  alone.  The  emaciation  in  particular  commenced  earlier 
in  the  case  of  the  animals  exposed  to  lead;  the  least  damage  was  pro- 
duced by  the  ordinary  zinc  oxide;  the  next  by  the  lithopone  paint; 
the  next,  in  order,  by  the  lead  sulphate  paint;  and  then  came  the 
white  lead.  So  far  as  these  experiments  on  animals  were  concerned 
the  effect  of  the  turpentine  vapor  appeared  practically  as  quickly 
with  the  zinc  oxide  as  with  the  lead"  paint,  but  the  later  changes, 
those  that  are  produced  by  the  oil  and  lead,  are  more  pronounced 
in  the  case  of  lead  than  in  the  case  of  zinc. 

Mr.  Goadby  also  made  experiments  to  compare  the  emanations 
from  white  lead  paste  and  zinc  oxide  paste  made  up  in  each  case 
with  Unseed  oil  only.  He  found  no  emanation  given  off  by  either 
of  sufficient  extent  to  produce  any  effect  at  all  on  the  animals 
exposed. 

He  then  experimented  with  the  following  paint  constituents: 
(1)  Linseed  oil  alone;  (2)  turpentine  alone;  (3)  turpentine  and  a  load 
acetate  drier.  The  animal  exposed  to  the  Unseed  oil  vapor  exhibited 
no  symptoms  whatever;  tho  animals  exposed  to  turpentine  showed 
acute  illness  of  a  much  more  severe  type  than  that  shown  by  tho 
animals  exposed  to  roady-mixed  white  lead  or  zinc  oxide  paints. 
Mr.  Goadby  detailed  the  symptoms  produced  by  turpentine,  and 
d  that  he  had  formed  the  definite  conclusion  that  the  symptoms 
which  he  had  found  in  tho  animals  in  the  case  of  both  lead  and 
zinc  paints  were  duo  to  the  turpentine  in  those  paints.  Tho  amount 
of  turpentino  vapor  in  the  air  to  which  the  animals  were  exposed 
Mr.  Goadby  estimated  at  from  6  to  10  milligrams  per  litre;  this 
would  1)0  equivalent  to  about  half  a  pint  of  turpentine  vaporized 
and  filling  tho  air  of  a  room  say  20  by  15  feet  by  10  feet  high.  Mr. 
Goadby  considered  that  this  experiment  indicated  that  the  com- 
monly noted  symptoms  of  headache  and  nausea  and  also  colic  of 
a  certain  type  complained  of  by  people  on  tho  smell  of  paint  were 
explained  on  tho  hypothesis  of  turpentine.  He  himself  and  his 
laboratory  assistant  both  suffered  from- nausea  and  headache  during 
the  turpentine  experiments. 

Mr.  Goadby  also  referred  to  somo  inoculation  experiments,  but 
agreed  as  a  mattor  of  fact  that  a  painter  would  not  be  likely  to  get 
inoculated  with  either  lead  or  zinc. 

i  Seo  evidence  of  Dr.  Dobbie,  pp.  01  and  02,  and  Appendix  XXVII  [Minutes  ot  Evidence). 


92  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUEEAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

Mr.  Goadby  also  made  experiments  on  the  inhalation  of  dust  such 
as  painters  would  bo  liable  to  breathe  in  the  dry  rubbing  down  proc- 
ess. The  animal  exposed  to  white  lead  dust  showed  signs  of  lead 
poisoning  at  tho  end  of  a  fortnight;  the  one  exposed  to  zinc  oxido 
showed  no  symptoms  whatever  except  a  loss  of  body  weight,  not- 
withstanding that  the  quantity  of  dust  used  was  four  times  as  much 
as  in  the  case  of  lead. 

Mr.  Goadby  gave  details  of  post  mortem  examinations  of  these 
animals;  the  one  exposed  to  lead  showing  the  hemorrhages  and 
ulceration  and  other  lesions  which  he  had  previously  described  as 
typical  signs  of  lead  poisoning;  this  he  stated  showed  that  "a  small 
dose  of  lead  over  periods  of  roughly  six  hours  a  day  is  distinctly 
serious,"  but  he  pointed  out  that  the  dose  was  bigger  than  a  man 
would  get.  In  the  case  of  the  animals  exposed  to  zinc  oxido  dust, 
the  doses  being,  as  above  stated,  four  times  as  great,  the  animal 
had  only  lost  a  small  proportion  of  the  body  weight,  and  the  lesions 
were  comparatively  slight,  but  sufficient  to  show  that  there  was 
some  early  inflammation  from  metallic  particles.  From  this  Mr. 
Goadby  deduces  that  it  is  not  a  good  thing  for  an  animal  or  a  man 
to  absorb  even  zinc  oxide  dust.  He  stated,  however,  in  conclusion, 
that  that  difference  of  the  white  lead  animal  and  the  zinc  animal 
was  very  marked.  The  blood  of  the  animals  experimented  upon 
was  also  examined;  basophilia  staining  was  found  with  both  turpen- 
tine and  white  lead,  and  even  the  animals  exposed  to  zinc  oxide 
and  zinc  sulphide  showed  presence  of  a  few  basophils  in  the  blood. 

The  general  conclusion  regarding  these  experiments  was  that 
the  effect  of  turpentine  is  a  matter  which  calls  for  serious  investiga- 
tion; it  could  produce  symptoms  similar  to  those  complained  of  by 
persons  who  smell  fresh  paint;  the  illness  from  it  is  definite,  and  not 
easily  confused  with  lead  poisoning,  but  has  possibly  been  so  confused 
in  the  past  because  it  has  been  associated  with  paint.  Arguing 
from  the  analogy  of  alcohol,  which  also  affects  the  kidneys,  it  is 
a  priori  probable  that  the  inhalation  of  turpentine  vapor  would 
make  men  more  prone  to  contract  lead  poisoning;  in  any  case  the 
effect  of  turpentine  might  account  in  some  measure  for  the  high 
incidence  of  Bright's  disease  and  other  diseases  of  the  kidneys 
amongst  painters.  Some  of  the  fatal  cases  certified  as  lead  poisoning 
may  nave  been  due  to  kidney  disease  brought  about  by  turpentine, 
but  Mr.  Goadby  agreed  that  the  average  of  30  deaths  a  year  amongst 
house  painters  certified  as  due  to  lead  poisoning  represents  a  very 
serious  condition  of  affairs. 

Mr.  Goadby  was  recalled  on  October  17,  1912,  and  described 
further  experiments  which  ho  had  made  with  a  view  to  testing 
M.  Trillat's  and  M.  Marie's  observations  of  the  effect  of  zinc  and 
load  compounds  on  bacteria.  The  broad  result  of  these  experi- 
ments was  that  a  distinct  inhibition  of  growth  takes  place  on  exposure 
to  the  gases  given  off  from  heated  white  load  and  oil,  and  a  slight 
inhibition  from  the  gases  given  off  by  heated  zinc  oxide  and  oil. 
The  witness  satisfied  himself  in  each  case  that  this  was  due  to  the 
formation  of  aldehyde  and  formic  acid.  The  greater  effect  of  white 
lead  and  oil  ho  ascribed  to  the  chemical  action  between  the  white 
lead  and  the  oil. 

With  regard  to  experiments  carried  out  at  ordinary  temperatures, 
Mr.  Goadby  found  that  all  pigments  when  mixed  with  oil  and  driers 


DANGEB  IN  USE   OF   LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING  OF  BUILDINGS.       93 

give  off  a  vapor  which  kills  bacteria,  These  emanations  seem  to  be 
independent  of  the  kind  of  pigment,  and  depend  mainly  on  the  drier. 
This  vapor  which  kills  bacteria  would,  in  the  witness's  opinion, 
have  a  hygienic  effect  and  disinfectant  action,  and  would  possibly 
produce  no  ill  effects  as  the  amount  would  be  very  small  and  given 
off  locally.  These  vapors  do  not  contain  lead,  and  Mr.  Goadby 
therefore  concludes  that  the  lead  poisoning  which  occurs  amongst 
painters  must  be  due  to  the  absorption  of  lead  in  some  ether  form 
than  vapor.  This  confirms  the  view  that  the  breathing  of  lead 
dust  is  the  most  serious  cause  of  lead  poisoning. 

Prof.  H.  E.  Armstrong  is  professor  of  chemistry  at  the  City  and 
Guilds  of  London  Central  Institute,  and  the  author  of  several  works 
oil  chemical  subjects.  He  stated  that  ho  made  an  extensive  study 
from  the  chemical  point  of  view  of  noxious  vapors  of  turpentine  and 
similar  substances.  lie  found  himself  entirely  in  disagreement  with 
the  conclusions  regarding  emanations  of  lead  compounds  from  drying 
paints  as  enunciated  by  Prof.  Baly,  of  Liverpool  University,  in  a  paper 
read  on  May  3,  1911,  and  subsequently  published  in  various  trade 
journals. 

At  the  outset  of  his  own  experiments,  Prof.  Armstrong  confirmed 
Mr.  Klein's  experiments,  in  which  lead  was  found  in  the  distil- 
late resulting  from  passing  steam  into  a  mixture  of  white  lead  and 
oil  only  when  lead  acetate  was  present  as  well.  This  he  accounted 
for  by  the  carrying  over  of  fine  particles  with  the  steam;  the  same 
applies  when  white  lead  is  distilled  in  vacuo. 

In  the  witness's  opinion  there  is  no  spraying  effect  or  mechanical 
separation  of  particles  taking  place  during  the  ordinary  drying  of 
paint,  and  he  considers  turpentine  to  be  responsible  for  tho  smell 
which  has  been  generally  attributed  to  lead  paints.  Turpentine 
vapors  will  produce  headache  and  other  symptoms  which,  as  well  as 
the  smell,  may  be  much  more  pronounced  in  the  case  of  white  lead 
than  in  other  paints,  bocause  the  latter  substances  do  not  promote 
changes  in  the  oil  to  the  same  extent. 

Prof.  Armstrong  did  not  consider  Prof.  Baly's  test  a  practicable 
one,  and  described  experiments  which  he  himself  had  mado  with 
aucuba  loavos. 

Tho  conclusions  which  Prof.  Armstrong  placed  before  tho  com- 
mittee were  that  tho  vapors  given  off  during  the  drying  of  lead  paints 
are  not  objectionable  under  ordinary  circumstances,  and  do  not  con- 
tain any  lead  compound;  the  rate  at  which  the  vapors  are  produced, 
but  not  their  total  amount,  is  determined  by  the  rate  of  drying,  which 
is  more  rapid  in  the  case  of  lead  paints;  that  vapors  of  turpentine 
produce  marked  effects,  but  the  workers  seem  to  grow  accustomed  to 
these,  while  they  are  transient  and  can  be  easily  guarded  against. 

In  furl  her  examination,  Prof.  Armstrong  agreed  that  it  would 
be  very  desirable  to  ask  tho  principal  chemist  of  tho  Government 
laboratory  to  report  on  the  various  tests  lor  the  presence  of  lead,  such 
as  those  roliod  upon  by  M.  Breton,  Dr.  Heim,  M.  Hebert,  and  Dr. 
Marie.1 

The  precautions  against  inhalation  of  turpentine  vapor  suggested 
by  tho  witness  consisted  simply  in  tho  opening  of  windows.  Tho 
witness  found  that  all  linseed  oil  paints  will  give  off  vapors  sooner  or 
later;  in  the  case  of  lead,  sooner;  and  in  the  case  of  zinc  white,*iater. 

1  See  evidence  of  Dr.  Dobbie,  pp.  CI  and  02,  and  Appendix  XXVII  [Minutes  of  Evldi 


94  BULLETIN   OF   THE  BUEEAU   OF   LABOR  STATISTICS. 

The  danger  of  turpentine  vapor  depends  entirely  on  the  quantity  of 
it  which  is  inhaled;  just  as  in  the  case  of  chloroform  small  quantities 
may  produce  very  little  effect.' 

Lator,  Prof.  Armstrong  said  that  the  time  during  which  a  man 
is  exposed  to  turpentine  vapor  is  within  practical  limits  the  deciding 
factor  of  the  extent  of  risk  from  turpentine  rather  than  the  propor- 
tion of  turpentine  put  into  the  paint;  of  course,  if  there  be  a  large 
amount  of  turpentine  in  the  paint,  it  will  continue  to  evaporate  from 
the  painted  surface  over  a  longer  period  of  time. 

Turpentine  substitutes,  such  as  petrol  and  naphtha,  have  about 
the  same  volatility  as  turpentine.  If  a  zinc  paint  were  made  to  dry 
as  quickly  as  a  lead  paint,  the  effect  as  shown  by  the  vapor  given  off 
would  probably  be  similar,  but  the  witness  could  only  speak  theoreti- 
cally on  that  point.  He  did  not  think  it  would  be  possible  to  treat 
commercial  turpentine  in  any  way  which  would  materially  reduce  its 
harrnfulness. 

Prof.  Armstrong  was  recalled  on  the  17th  of  October,  1912,  to 
submit  his  criticisms  of  the  French  experiments  referred  to  in  M. 
Breton's  report.  He  also  referred  to  a  further  paper  by  Prof.  Baly 
on  the  toxicity  of  paints,  in  which  he  attributed  the  ill  effects  noted 
amongst  -people  inhabiting  freshly-painted  rooms  to  unsaturated 
aldehydes  and  not  lead.  He  expressed  further  the  opinion  that  many 
cases  which  have  been  regarded  as  lead  poisoning  may  have  been 
attributable  to  other  causes;  that  the  interaction  of  oil  and  white  lead 
gives  the  toughest  paint  film;  and  that  the  vapor  given  off  by  paint 
in  drying  may  have  a  distinct  hygienic  value  as  a  disinfectant. 

In  further  examination,  Prof.  Armstrong  said  that  the  vapor 
given  off  by  drying  paint  might  have  a  hygienic  value  in  killing  or- 
ganisms. It  might,  however,  at  the  same  time  produce  headache 
and  other  effects  of  that  kind.  These  vapors  arise  from  the  inter- 
action of  lead  and  oil,  not  from  the  lead  itself.  In  the  early  stages 
the  vapor  given  off  is  mainly  turpentine,  but  the  witness  considered 
that  the  oil  vapor  given  off  subsequently  was  the  more  poisonous. 
He  agreed  that  the  lead  dust  breathed  in  the  process  of  dry  rubbing 
down  was  the  chief  source  of  danger.  He  considered  that  turpentine 
might  produce  temporary  effects,  but  it  should  not  be  regarded  as  a 

Eoisonous  substance.  Turpentine  is  not  innocuous;  if  used  as  a 
overage  it  would  be  poisonous,  but  as  used  in  paint  he  did  not  think 
it  would  bo  injurious  to  a  workman  in  his  daily  occupation;  ho  would 
soon  got  accustomed  to  it,  as  it  produces  an  efrect  which  may  be  com- 
pared with  the  effect  of  smelling  salts.  Smelling  salts,  Prof.  Arm- 
strong added,  would  be  dangerous  if  taken  in  quantity. 

Mr.  A.  ViHemot  is  the  president  of  the  Color  and  Varnish  Manufac- 
turers' Association  of  Paris  and  has  carried  on  business  there  for  40 
years  as  a  paint  grinder  and  color  manufacturer.  He  stated  that  as 
far  as  his  business  is  concerned,  it  is  immaterial  whothor  ho  grinds 
lead  or  zinc  paints,  but  he  considered  white  lead  the  most  efficient 
paint  for  external  surfaces  exposed  to  atmospheric  variations,  mois- 
ture, and  strong  sunlight. 

"White  lead  is  a  hydrocarbonate  which  is  neither  acid  nor  basic 
and  is  ground  with  about  10  kilograms  of  oil  per  100  kilograms  of 
powder.  Zinc  white  is  a  protoxide  of  zinc,  is  faintly  acid,  and  is 
ground  with  18  to  22  kilograms  of  oil  per  100  kilograms  of  powder. 


DAXGEE  IX  USE   OP  LEAD  IX   THE  PAIXTIXG   OF  BUILDINGS.       95 

Both  products  are  easy  to  use  and  give  a  very  good  finished  surface  in 
competent  hands. 

Lead  possesses  more  covering  power  and  greater  elasticity  and  can 
be  matched  more  easily  if  a  portion  of  the  painted  surface  has  been 
damaged.  White  and  red  lead  form  a  good  jointing  material  which 
is  easy  to  use. 

In  the  witness's  opinion  the  dangers  attendant  on  the  use  of  whito , 
lead  are  not  great  enough  to  justify  its  prohibition.     He  does  not 
agree  with  the  findings  of  the  French  White  Lead  Commission  which 
he  alleged  were  the  outcome  in  a  large  measure  of  political  agitation 
and  humanitarian  considerations  for  the  health  of  the  workmen. 

Y\ Trite  lead  is  cheaper  than  zinc  white  and  easier  to  apply. 

Mr.  Villemot  referred  to  the  failure  of  a  factory  established  for  the 
manufacture  of  lithopone  and  also  alleged  that  the  marine  depart- 
ment and  other  French  Government  departments  had  been  obliged 
to  revert  to  the  use  of  white  lead  and  red  lead  in  certain  cases.  "Ho 
thought  that  the  Maison  Leclaire  was  using  only  zinc  oxide,  but  they 
do  exceptional  work  and  employ  skillful  workmen. 

He  did  not  consider  that  sufficient  leadless  paints  would  be  avail- 
able on  the  market  if  the  French  prohibition  law  is  put  into  operation 
at  the  end  of  1914. 

The  witness  agreed  that  white  lead  is  a  dangerous  material  and 
precautions  are  required  to  prevent  ill  effects  on  the  health,  but  he 
ridered  regulations  such  as  prohibition  of  the  transport  of  dry 
white  lead,  prohibition  of  dry  rubbing  down,  and  improvement  of 
washing  conveniences  and  the  like  would,  if  properly  enforced,  remove 
the  danger. 

The  French  Government  provided  that  a  period  of  five  years  should 
elapse  before  the  prohibition  of  white  lead  became  absolute,  for  two 
reasons:  (1)  to  give  time  in  which  to  replace  white  lead,  to  trans- 
form the  factories  and  so  on;  (2)  to  give  something  in  the  nature  of 
an  indemnity  to  the  manufacturers  of  white  lead. .  Subsequent 
inquiries  have  resulted  in  the  adoption  of  regulations  in  Belgium  and 
in  German}-  while  in  Austria  the  use  of  white  lead  has  been  forbidden 
for  interiors  only. 

Mr.  Emil  Niederhauser  is  a  master  painter  of  Cologne  employing 
about  100  hands.  Ho  has  known  very  little  lead  poisoning  among  his 
workmen  and  considers  that  the  regulations  now  in  force  in  Germany 
amply  protect  the  workmen.  The  men  arc  given  printed  instructions, 
which  the  witness  thought  might  be  made  more  simple,  and  the  half- 
ly  medical  inspection  brings  home  to  them  the  necessity  for  exer- 
cising care.  Nailbrushes  and  towels  are  supplied  to  men  who  are 
working  at  private  houses. 

The  witness  referred  to  statistics  presonted  by  Dr.  Kaup  showing 
ft  decrease  in  the  incidence  of  lead  poisoning;  this  in  Mr.  Neiderhau 
opinion  is  principally  due  to  the  prohibition  of  the  dusty  pro<  ess  of 
dry  rubbing  down  and  the  improved  personal  cleanliness  of  the 
painters. 

No  additional  factory  inspectors  have  been  appointed  to  secure 
the  carrying  out  of  the  new  regulations  in  the  district  of  Cologne. 

In  the  witness's  opinion  whito  lead  is  tho  best  paint  for  exterior 
work.  Lead  is  also  \\<^d  on  account  of  its  great  covering  power  for 
priming  coats  on  interior  work,  and  a  finishing  coat  of  zinc  white  is 
Used  where  pure  whito  color  is  desired. 


96  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUEEAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

In  1903  inquiries  wore  addressed  to  all  users  of  paint  in  Germany 
asking  them  whether  white  lead  could  be  replaced  by  any  other  mate- 
rial; tho  replies  showed  a  universal  opinion  that  white  lead  could  not 
1)0  replaced  for  exterior  painting  and  that  it  was  also  necessary  for 
undercoats  for  interior  painting,  while  at  the  same  time  uncleanliness 
was  stated  to  be  the  chief  cause  of  load  poisoning.  Tho  witness  re- 
gards white  lead  mixed  with  oil  as  practically  harmless  as  a  paint,  but 
considers  that  in  tho  preparation  of  the  old  surface  tho  rubbing  down 
should  bo  done  wet. 

The  witness  quoted  a  circular  of  September,  1907,  of  the  Prussian 
railway  authority  prohibiting  the  use  of  zinc  white,  lithopone,  etc., 
for  exterior  use  in  consequence  of  tests  which  showed  that  white  lead 
alone  was  satisfactory  for  this  purpose. 

He  summarized  his  conclusions  by  stating  his  opinion  that  there  is  no 
efficient  substitute  for  white  lead  where  the  durability  of  the  paint  is 
important,  and  that  there  is  no  more  danger  to  workmen  handling  it 
than  in  many  other  trades  provided  that  the  rubbing  down  be  done 
wet. 

In  further  examination  the  witness  said  he  considered  the  new  regu- 
lations in  Germany  sufficient  for  the  protection  of  the  worker  because 
the  statistics  quoted  by  Dr.  Kaup  show  a  decrease  in  the  incidence  of 
lead  poisoning  and  because  the  regulations  have  brought  about  an 
improvement  in  the  cleanliness  of  painters;  the  witness  considered 
that  all  lead  poisoning  is  due  to  lack  of  cleanliness  on  the  part  of 
workers  (Q.  16284);  ho  regards  the  prohibition  of  dry  rubbing  down, 
however,  as  very  desirable  and  considers  it  quite  possible  to  dispense 
with  such  a  process  in  all  painting.  He  considers  that  the  regulations 
in  Germany  are  enforced  by  the  exchange  of  information  regarding 
irregularities  among  the  men  themselves. 

His  own  central  workshop  has  been  inspected  twice  during  the  five 
years  that  the  regulations  have  been  in  force,  once  by  an  industrial 
inspector  and-  once  by  a  polico  inspector.  No  inspections  have  been 
made  at  the  places  where  the  painting  work  is  done. 

Questioned  further  in  regard  to  control  of  irregularities  by  informa- 
tion given  by  the  men,  Mr.  Niederhauscr  admitted  that  it  usually 
resulted  in  the  man  losing  his  place,  tho  usual  course  being,  that  "tho 
man  gives  information  to  the  trade-union;  tho  trade-union  informs 
the  authorities,  that  is  the  polico  or  the  industrial  inspector;  the 
employer  is  fined  and  the  man  is  dismissed"  (Q.  16300),  but  the  wit- 
added  that  if  the  man  were  a  very  capable  worker  he  might  not 
bo  dismissed. 

When  Mr.  Niederhauscr  affirmed  that  dry  rubbing  down  could  bo 
dispensed  with,  he  did  not  mean  that  wet  pumice  stoning  could  take 
tho  place  of  sandpapering  on  a  first  coat  of  paint;  after  12  or  15  hours 
the  paint  can  be  sponged  down  and  then  rubbed  with  sandpaper.  Ho 
did  not  consider  that  this  would  be  equivalent  to  dry  rubbing  down. 

In  connection  with  the  lavatory  regulations,  every  man  entering 
employment  as  a  painter  is  supplied  with  a  basin,  towel,  nailbrush, 
and  a  piece  of  soap;  he  carries  these  with  him  always.  Hot  water  is 
not  provided  and  would  not  be  practicable,  but  cold  water  is  always 
available  and  it  is  tho  duty  of  tho  foreman  to  sec  that  the  men  use 
their  basins,  towels,  etc. 

Mr.  Niederhauser  employs  from  80  to  100  men,  and  during  the  five 
years  the  regulations  have  been  in  force  he  has  not  had  occasion  to 


DANGER  IN  USE   OF  LEAD  IN  THE  PAINTING  OF  BUILDINGS.        97 

dismiss  any  man  for  uncleanliness.  The  men  are  required  to  wear 
special  blouses  and  trousers  and  to  provide  for  their  being  washed  at 
reasonable  intervals. 

In  conclusion,  the  witness  said  that  he  did  not  think  that  the  regu- 
lations can  always  be  observed,  but  the  welfare  of  the  men  is  con- 
sidered as  far  as  possible.  It  would  bo  impossible  to  control  observ- 
ance of  the  regulations  by  inspection. 

Mr.  Niederhauser  considered  the  prohibition  of  the  use  of  lead  to  be 
impossible.  The  success  of  leadless  paints  on  tramcars,  motor  cars, 
and  the  like  he  attributed  to  the  protective  value  of  varnish;  the  suc- 
cess of  such  paints  where  not  varnished  over  he  could  not  explain. 
Zinc  white  in  his  experience  is  not  sufficiently  durable. 

Mr.  Hans  Leyendecker  is  president  of  the  German  White  Lead 
Manufacturers'  Association,  and  was  consulted  at  the  time  of  the 
drawing  up  of  the  German  regulations  for  white-lead  factories.  These 
regulations  have  resulted  in  a  decrease  in  cases  of  lead  poisoning.1 

In  1905,  an  inquiry  was  addressed  to  the  guild  of  painters  in  Ger- 
many, and  the  replies,  which  were  unfavorable  to  the  substitution  of 
zinc  for  lead,  were  summarized  by  the  witness.  In  June  of  the  same 
year  the  German  regulations  were  made.2 

Mr.  Leyendecker  considered  that  regulations  can  be  applied  to  the 

Eainting  trade,  and  instanced  the  prohibition  of  dry  rubbing  down  in 
ouse  painting  in  Germany.  The  regulations  arc  controlled  by  the 
police  or  inspectors  of  factories.  The  witness  stated  that  hot  water  is 
always  provided  in  Germany,  and  the  wearing  of  overalls  insisted  on  • 
he  advocates  the  provision  of  milk  to  workers,  but  considers  this  would 
be  difficult  to  enforce. 

The  inquiries  addressed  to  the  guild  of  painters  were  in  the  form  of 
questions,  to  which  they  replied;  there  was  no  cross-examination  of 
witnesses. 

He  admitted  that  the  regulations  in  Germany  have  led  to  a  slow 
rate  of  decrease  in  the  case  of  lead  poisoning,  and  also  that  regulations 
would  be  difficult  to  enforce,  especially  at  first;  he  is  nevertheless 
convinced  that  they  are  preferable  to  prohibition.  He  instanced  the 
experiments  of  the  Prussian  State  railways  with  substitutes  which 
extended  over  some  three  or  four  years,  and  resulted  in  whito  lead 
being  again  specified  for  railway  work. 

Mr.  de  Morsier  is  editor  of  a  Geneva  paper  and  formerly  deputy. 
The  question  of  prohibiting  white  lead  in  painting  was  first  raised  m 
1904,  and  the  draft  of  a  measure  was  referred  to  a  commission  of  which 
the  witness  was  a  member  and  reporter.  This  Swiss  commission  took 
the  evidence  of  31  witnesses,  and  also  made  inquiries  by  circular.  Of 
the  witnesses  questioned  verbally  as  to  their  attitude  towards  prohi- 
bition of  lead,  8  trade-union  workmen  and  2  employers  expressed 
themselves  for  prohibition  by  law,  while  8  workmen,  9  employers  and 
1  manufacturer  expressed  themselves  against.  Of  the  employers 
questioned  by  letter,  5. replied  in  favor  of  prohibition  and  40  against 
it.  Of  the  architects  written  to,  1  was  in  favor  of  total  prohibition 
and  1  in  favor  of  prohibition  for  the  interior;  9  were  against.  Of  the 
43  doctors  who  replied,  2  only  asked  for  prohibition,  while  there- 

i  The  number  of  cases  in  white  lead  Factories  in  Qennany  were  as  follows:  In  1895,  .'<I2;  In  1899,  310;  In 
0;  in  1901. 2  327;  in  1904, 134;  in  1905, 157;  in  1906, 160;  in  1907, 177;  in  1908, 172.    (Kaup- 

Archiv  fiir  Sozialc  Ity.  I  10,  p.  10.) 

'  See  Appendix  VI  [Minutes  of  Evidence]. 

25235°— Bull.  1S8— 16 7 


98  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

mainder  considered  that  regulations  would  be  sufficient  to  meet  the 
danger.  The  commission  accordingly  arrived  at  the  following  con- 
clusions : 

(1)  That  though  white  lend  is  poisonous  its  use  in  house  paint- 

ing does  not  constitute  a  social  peril  sufficient  to  neces- 
sitate prohibition. 

(2)  Zinc  oxide  can  replace  white  lead  in  a  large  number  of 

cases,  but  the  general  opinion  and  experience  of  the 
trade  is  that  white  lead  is  still  sometimes  necessary. 

(3)  YvTiito  lead  is  not  dangerous  when  simple  precautions  are 

taken. 

(4)  White  lead  dust  is  dangerous  when  inhaled  for  a  long  time 

or  in  too  large  quantities. 

(5)  Use  of  white  lead  in  the  form  of  paste  removes  the  danger 

of  dust. 

(6)  The  dry  scraping  off  of  old  lead  paint  produces  much  dust 

which  is  breathed;  burning  off  is  equally  bad. 

(7)  Dry  rubbing  down  of  paint  is  not  dangerous  unless  the 

work  is  prolonged  in  unventilatcd  rooms  or  the  work- 
man keeps  his  face  too  near  the  work.  The  amount  of 
rubbing  down  done  in  Geneva  is  regarded  as  negligible. 

(8)  The  trade  fear  an  increase  in  the  price  of  zinc  and  conse- 

quently in  the  cost  of  painting  work. 

(9)  In  the  absence  of  regulations,  precautionary  measures  are 

not  carried  out  with  sufficient  thoroughness. 

(10)  Lead  poisoning  is  uncommon  in  Geneva,  and  the  sufferers 

probably  have  neglected  elementary  precautions. 

(11)  There  does  not  exist  in  Geneva  among  the  workmen  any 

special  demand  for  the  total  suppression  of  white  lead. 

Mr.  de  Morsier  then  criticised  the  conduct  and  conclusions  of  the 
inquiry  carried  out  by  the  French  commission. 

Following  on  the  report  of  the  Swiss  commission  a  law  was  passed 
to  regulate  the  use  of  white  lead  on  26th  October,  1907  (Appendix 
XIX1),  also  regulations  were  issued  on  21st  December,  1907  (Appen- 
dix XX1).  Mr.  de  Morsier  put  in  a  chronological  statement  of  the 
steps  which  led  up  to  these  measures  (see  Qs.  16520-41).  As  a  result 
of  further  inquiries  in  1908  it  was  resolved  that  the  use  of  white  lead  for 
inside  work  should  be  prohibited  in  all  the  works  executed  by  or  con- 
tracted for  by  the  Federal  Government  departments. 

In  further  examination  Mr.  de  Morsier  dealt  with  the  difference 
between  painting  in  France  and  Geneva;  he  stated  that  he  did  not 
know  anything  of  English  conditions.  Although  there  is  but  little 
lead  poisoning  in  Geneva,  regulations  were  considered  desirable  pro- 
hibiting the  use  of  white  lead  in  powder,  and  forbidding  dry  pumice 
stoning,  scraping  off  and  burning  off  of  paint,  and  the  direct  use  of 
fillings  with  the  hand  is  also  prohibited.  Provision  of  washing  accom- 
modation, overalls,  and  a  place  for  clothing  are  required.  These 
regulations  are  enforced  in  the  first  instance  by  informing  the  workmen 
regarding  the  regulations  and  by  charging  the  police  with  the  enforce- 
ment of  the  regulations  for  overalls  and  place  for  clothing  as  well  as 
authorizing  the  police  to  receive  complaints  from  workers.  The 
police  very  rarely  enter  a  house  unless  they  receive  a  complaint. 
Under  the  regulations  all  dusty  operations  aro  required  to  be  earned 

1  In  Minutes  of  Evidence,  presented  in  a  separate  volume  of  the  original  report. 


DANGER  IX  USE   OF  LEAD  IN"  THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.         99 

out  in  a  wet  way;  the  witness  could  not  say  how  far  the  regulations 
are  observed,  as  there  is  always  a  little  difficulty  in  this  respect  in 
Geneva.  In  the  witness's  opinion  dry  rubbing  down  could  be  dis- 
pensed with. 

Dr.  M.  Roch  is  chef  de  clinique  at  the  cantonal  hospital  at  Geneva. 
He  spoke  of  44  cases  of  lead  poisoning  treated  during  the  seven 
yeare  ending  1906  at  the  cantonal  hospital;  of  these  24  occurred 
among  the  house  painters,  who  number  from  300  to  400  in  Geneva, 
and  20  occurred  among  men  following  other  trades.  He  stated  that 
he  had  studied  the  whole  subject  impartially.  After  dealing  with 
various  aspects  of  the  lead  poisoning  question  he  quoted  the  alleged 
experience  of  the  Belgian  Government,  who  prohibited  the  use  of 
carbonate  of  lead  for  the  railways,  and  have  recently  reversed  that 
decision.1  In  Dr.  Roch's  opinion  lead  poisoning  can  be  prevented 
without  prohibition  of  the  use  of  lead.  Salts  of  lead,  white  lead  in 
particular,  appear  to  form  with  the  acids  of  Unseed  oil  metallic  soaps 
which  can  not  be  produced  either  with  zinc  white  or  barium,  and 
this  in  Dr.  Roch's  opinion  accounts  for  the  durability  which  results 
from  the  use  of  the  former  for  exterior  work.  Litharge  can  be  re- 
placed by  oxide  of  manganese,  but  red  lead  appears  in  the  meantime 
to  be  indispensable  for  the  priming  of  ironwork. 

Dr.  Roch  suggested  regulations  which  should  include — 

(a)  The  prohibition  of  dry  grinding  and  mixing. 

(b)  Prohibition  of  the  importation  and  supply  of  lead  colors 

not  already  mixed  with  oil  and  ready  for  use. 

(c)  Prohibition  of  handling  of  white  lead  by  the  workmen 

when  filling  or  making  fillings. 

(c7)  Dry  rubbing  down  with  glass-paper,  which  produces  dust, 
should  also  be  prohibited,  as  should  be  burning  off — ■ 
with  a  spirit  lamp — of  old  paint,  which  is  likely  to  pro- 
duce toxical  emanations. 

(c)  The  cleaning  down  of  old  paint  should  be  done  wet  and 
with  a  liquid  solvent. 

(f)  "Workmen  should  be  prohibited  whilst  at  work  from  smok- 

ing (especially  cigarettes).  They  should  be  compelled 
to  wear  working  clothes  whilst  at  work,  to  take  them 
off  immediately  after  they  have  finished  and  before 
eating  their  food,  and  the  working  clothes  should  be 
regularly  washed. 

(g)  A  strict  regulation  should  be  made  for  the  washing  of  the 

workmen's  hands  with  soap,  and  the  use  of  nailbrush 
and  clean  towel  before  they  partake  of  food.  Per- 
haps, also,  it  would  be  advisable  to  have  a  medical 
examination  of  all  painters  once  or  twice  a  year. 
In  the  witness's  opinion  these  regulations  would  be  very  efficacious, 
and  he  c  d  they  should  be  tried  before  prohibition.     Dr.  Roch 

(i  that  lie  found  in  nearly  every  ease  that  lead  poisoning  was  due 
to  the  carelessness  of  the  worker,  and  he  did  not  consider  that  this  alone 
constituted  sufficient  ground  for  prohibition  of  the  use  of  lead. 

In  further  examination  Dr.  Roch  said  he  considered  that  the  dust 
from  dry  rubbing  down  was  one  of  the  most  serious  dangers.  If  it  is 
impossible  to  prevent  the  formation  of  dust,  then  prohibition  would 

1  Soe,  however,  i>.  140. 


100  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU   OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

bo  bettor  than  regulations  (Q.  16740).  The  witness  agreed  that 
regulations  must  be  enforced  by  inspection,  and  regretted  that  in 
Switzerland  there  is  hardly  any  control  to  enforce  the  regulations. 

Mr.  C.  A.  Klein  is  a  technical  chemist  of  Victoria  University,  some- 
time demonstrator  in  chemistry  at  Sheffield  University  College,  and 
at  present  chief  chemist  to  the  Brimsdown  White  Lead  Co.  He 
detailed  experiments  which  he  had  carried  out  at  the  requests  of 
the  chemists'  committee  of  the  white  lead  corroders'  section  of 
the  London  Chamber  of  Commerce.  His  first  scries  of  experiments 
led  him  to  the  conclusion  that  it  was  impossible  to  prepare  a  volatile 
lead  compound  even  under  conditions  much  more  favorable  to  its 
formation  than  those  obtaining  in  painting  practice.  In  view  of  the 
animal  experiments  of  Mr.  Goadby,  Mr.  Klein  made  experiments  for 
determining  the  rate  of  volatilization  of  turpentine  from  a  paint  film. 
He  found  that  the  whole  of  the  turpentine  is  practically  removed  at 
the  end  of  one  hour,  and  that  there  is  therefore  little  difference  in  the 
behavior  of  the  turpentine  in  the  paint  whatever  be  the  pigment, 
either  lead  or  zinc.  Mr.  Klein  also  made  experiments  with  substi- 
tutes for  white  lead,  namely,  lead  oxysulphate,  zinc  oxide,  and  litho- 
pone,  as  well  as  with  various  ready-mixed  white  paints.  He  formed 
the  conclusion  that  there  is  no  efficient  substitute  for  white  lead. 
Apart  from  the  determination  of  the  merits  or  demerits  of  any  paint, 
which  must  depend  on  a  practical  trial,  Mr.  Klein  submitted  the 
following  points: 

(1)  That  the  effect  of  sulphuretted  hydrogen  on  zinc  is  similar 

to  the  effect  on  lead  paints,  but  is  not  so  apparent  be- 
cause the  zinc  paint  does  not  change  color  whilst  the 
lead  paint  goes  yellow. 

(2)  Sulphur  dioxide,  which  is  freely  present  in  the  London 

atmosphere,  produces  with  zinc  oxide  a  compound 
which  is  soluble  in  water;  with  lead  it  produces  a  com- 
pound insoluble  in  water. 

(3)  The  spreading  power  of  white  lead  is  better  than  that  of 

zinc  white. 

(4)  White  lead  is  not  a  powder  of  uniform  size,  and  this  gives 

the  paint  film  greater  stability  than  that  possessed  by 

substitutes  for  white  lead,  which  are  invariably  in  a 

very  fine  state  of  subdivision  and  regular  size.     On  aU 

tli esc  grounds  Mr.  Klein  considers  white  lead  the  best 

pigment. 

Mr.  Klein  has  known  of  no  case  of  lead  poisoning  attributable  to 

the  handling  of  white  lead  in  paste  form;  he  regards  the  inhalation 

of  dust  as  the  source  of  practically  all  the  trouble,  and  suggests  that 

respirators  should  be  worn  if  dry  rubbing  down  is  permitted  to  be 

carried  on.     The  handling  of  dry  lead  colors  is  also  a  source  of  danger. 

This  could  be  avoided  by  regulations  prohibiting  their  .use  except  in 

the  form  of  paste. 

In  further  examination  Mr.  Klein  reaffirmed  his  disagreement  with 
the  observers  who  claim  to  find  lead  emanations  from  drying  paints, 
and  repeated  emphatically  his  opinion  that  dry  rubbing  down  should 
bo  prohibited  or  that  the  painter  should  be  obliged  to  wear  a  respira- 
tor whilst  the  work  is  being  done.  He  considered  that  regulations 
could  be  enforced  in  the  painting  trade  just  as  they  arc  enforced  in 
other  lead  industries,  such  as  white  lead  works.     In  the  first  instance 


DANGER  IN  USE   OF  LEAD  IN   THE  PAIXTIXG   OF  BUILDINGS.      101 

he  would  educate  painters  as  to  the  dangers  of  lead  poisoning.  The 
employer  should  be  forced  to  see  that  the  regulations  are  carried  out; 
washing  accommodation  is  requisite,  including  hot  water,  if  possible, 
but  he  did  not  consider  hot  water  necessary  if  pumice  soap  is  used. 

Mr.  Hedlev  Miller  is  an  official  of  the  London  Chamber  of  Commerce, 
and  stated  that  he  had  collected  certain  statistics  to  present  on  behalf 
of  members  of  the  chamber  directly  or  indirectly  interested.  The 
British  white  lead  industry  shows  a  production  of  57,000  tons  for 
1910,  of  which  he  estimates  that  over  85  per  cent  is  consumed  in  this 
country.  The  white  lead  manufacturers  employed,  in  1910,  2,489 
men,  involving  some  8,100  dependents.  He  estimated  the  wages 
paid  at  £158,300  ($770,366.95),  and  the  total  capital  employed  at 
£1,334,000  ($6,491,911). 

Mr.  Miller  referred  to  the  indirect  effect  which  prohibition  would 
have  on  other  industries,  and  quoted  the  amounts  spent  annually  by 
white  lead  manufacturers  on  pots,  timber,  tan,  and  acetic  acid.  In 
addition  to  the  £864,660  (84,207,867.89)  spent  in  1910  on  pig  lead, 
the  total  consumption  of  pig  lead  in  this  country  amounts  to  200,000 
tons  per  annum,  and  this  the  witness  estimated  would  be  reduced  by 
25  per  cent  if  the  demand  for  white  lead  ceased.  He  dealt  further 
with  the  employment  of  men  in  the  British  lead  mining  industry, 
which  he  gave  as  2,678  men  with  6,945  dependents,  and  earning 
£151,308  (8736,340.38)  annually  in  wages.  The  smelting  and  refin- 
ing firms  emploved  780  workmen  with  2,439  dependents,  wages 
£72,970  ($355,108.51).  The  output  of  British  red  lead  and  litharge 
is  about  11,800  tons,  involving  an  estimated  capital  of  £150,000 
(8729,975). 

Mr.  Miller  next  dealt  with  substitutes  for  white  lead,  and  stated 
that  he  considered  zinc  oxide  the  only  substitute  in  any  way  efficient. 
This  pigment  has  been  known  for  a  great  many  years  and  is  largely 
used  for  interior  finishing  work.  The  chamber  of  commerce  addressed 
a  set  of  questions  to  the  leading  painting  and  decorating  firms  in  the 
principal  cities  of  the  United  Kingdom  outside  London  and  received 
125  replies,  which  the  witness  summarized  as  follows: 

111  said  that  there  was  no  substitute  for  white  lead  for  out- 
side painting  effective  for  body,  covering  power,  and 
durability. 
78  said  that  they  had  had  experience  of  zinc  white  for  exterior 
work;  of  whom  52  said  that  it  was  unsatisfactory  and 
not  equal  to  Avhite  lead.     A  few  said  that  zinc  white  is 
unsatisfactory  except  when  used  with  enamel  or  varnish. 
110  said  that    they  have    had    experience  of  the  use  of  zinc 
white  for  inside  work. 
93  recommended    the   use   of  undercoats   of  white   lead    for 

inside  work. 
91  have  no  objection  to  simple  regulations,  such  as  quarterly 
medical  inspection;  the  use  of  overalls;  provision  of 
soap  and  water,  etc.,  and  the  use  of  them  before 
meals. 
He  also  stated  that  a  number  of  firms  volunteered  the  information 
that  they  had  little  or  no  experience  of  lead  poisoning,  lie  referred 
the  committee  to  a  statement  by  Mr.  Stas,  made  in  1885,  that  "  lo-day 
zinc  white  disputes  with  white  lead  for  pride  of  place, "  but  he  added, 
'zinc  white  can  not  replace  white  lead  for  all  purposes;  it  is  not 


102  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU   OF    LABOR    STATISTICS. 

prejudice  or  custom,  that  enemy  of  progress,  and  less  still  ill-will, 
that  is  responsible,  but  the  very  nature  of  zinc  white  itself,  which 
it  is  not  in  the  power  of  man  to  change."  Mr.  Miller  quoted  the 
statement  of  the  departmental  committee  of  1893  to  the  effect 
that  zinc  oxide  is  good  for  inside  but  has  not  sufficient  covering 
power  or  durability  for  exterior  work. 

Mr.  Miller  was  further  questioned  regarding  the  amount  of  British 
white  lead  exported  and  used  in  this  country  for  purposes  other 
than  painting.  On  November  14,  1912,  he  again  attended  before 
the  committee  and  offered  supplementary  evidence,  in  which  he 
stated  that  the  figures  for  1910  were  as  follows: 

Tons. 

Total  home  manufacture  of  white  lead 57,  946 

Total  import  of  white  lead 14,  436 

Together 72, 382 

Total  exports  of  white  lead 20, 219 

Balance,  being  total  home  consumption 52, 1G3 

As  far  as  the  witness  could  ascertain  the  white  lead  corroders 
in  the  United  Kingdom  delivered,  during  the  year  1910,  2,984  tons 
of  white  lead  dry  for  purposes  other  than  painting.  Of  125  paint 
grinders  who  were  asked  in  regard  to  the  same  matter,  117  replied 
disclosing  total  deliveries  of  white  lead  for  purposes  other  than 
painting  of  less  than  11  tons.  Mr.  Miller  therefore  concluded  that 
approximately  3,000  tons  of  white  lead  are  used  in  this  country  for 

Eurposes  other  than  painting.  He  agreed  that  this  estimate  was 
ased  only  on  ex  parte  figures  given  by  the  white  lead  manufacturers 
and  that  he  had  no  means  of  having  them  verified.  If  the  use  of 
white  lead  were  prohibited  for  painting  purposes  in  this  country, 
he  agreed  that  the  larger  quantity  of  the  14,436  tons  now  imported 
would  cease  to  come  into  this  country.  The  British  white  lead 
manufacturers  would,  however,  retain  a  market  for  some  23,000 
tons  made  up  of  3,000  tons  for  purposes  other  than  painting  and 
20,000  tons  for  export,  except  in  so  far  as  the  foreign  markets  for 
the  latter  might  be  affected  by  the  closure  of  a  market  in  this  country 
for  the  14,000  tons  of  foreign  white  lead  at  present  imported. 

Capt.  Matthew  Francis  is  senior  partner  in  the  firm  of  Matthew 

Francis  &  Son,  of  Halkvn,  near  Holywell,  Wales,  and  has  practiced 

as  a  mining  engineer  for  50  years  in  the  Flintshire  district.     He 

manages  four  North  Welsh  mines  and  is  consultant  for  three  others. 

lie  pointed  out  that  the  prohibition  of  white  lead  would  have  a 

I prejudicial  effect  on  the  lead  mining  industry,  especially  as  the 
arger  proportion  of  their  output  goes  to  white  lead  corroders.  He 
dealt  with  the  fluctuations  in  the  price  of  lead,  and  stated  that 
he  felt  sure  that  the  British  lead  mining  industry  would  be  ruined 
if  the  use  of  white  lead  for  paint  ing  were  prohibited.  He  maintained 
that  the  dangers  attendant  on  the  use  of  lead  could  be  adequately 
met  by  regulations,  but  agreed  that  if  the  regulations  can  not  be 
enforced  lead  should  be  prohibited.  He  thought,  however,  it  would 
be  very  ea  iy  to  carry  out  regulations. 

r.  E.  N.  Humphreys  is  a  fellow  of  the  Institute  of  Chartered 
Accountants,  and  is  a  director  of  two  of  the  mining  companies 
referred  to  by  Capt.  Francis.     He  quoted  the  capital  of  those  two  com- 


DANGER  IN  USE   OF   LEAD  IX   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.      103 

panics  as  just  over  £71,000  (S345,521.50),  and  said  the  average 
number  of  men  employed  by  them  was  200,  earning  from  £11,000 
($53,531.50),  to  £12,000  ($58,398)  per  annum  in  wages. 

He  dwelt  upon  the  importance  of  the  lead  mining  industry  in  the 
county  of  Flint,  and  said  he  was  informed  that  about  25  per  cent 
of  the  output  of  Welsh  lead  is  used  by  white  lead  corroders;  if  the 
use  of  white  lead  is  prohibited,  it  would  so  reduce  the  demand  as 
to  cause  a  serious  reaction  upon  the  price  of  lead  ore.  This  would 
in  its  turn  extinguish  the  present  small  margin  of  profit,  and  result 
in  the  closing  of  the  mines  and  the  throwing  out  of  employment  of 
the  men  now  engaged  therein. 

He  considered  that  regulations  should  be  adopted  for  the  painting 
industry,  and  considered  that  these,  together  with  the  education 
of  the  workers,  would  reduce  the  risk  to  its  lowest  point.  He 
admitted  there  would  be  difficulty  in  enforcing  regulations  for 
painting,  and  agreed  that  work  can  not  be  done  on  dry  surfaces  with- 
out engendering  a  certain  amount  of  dust  which  can  not  be  removed. 

In  further  examination,  Mr.  Humphreys  was  asked  if  he  thought 
it  worth  while  trying  to  save  an  industry  which  can  not  pay  a  living 
wage  to  its  workmen  and  can  only  pay  1  per  cent  interest  on  its 
capital;  he  replied  that  the  average  rate  of  wages  works  out  at  22s. 
($5.35)  a  week,  which  he  did  not  admit  was  below  the  level  of  a  living 
wage  in  that  district. 

Mr.  Henry  Gardner  is  a  director  of  the  firm  of  Henry  R.  Merton 
&  Co.  (Ltd.),  and  the  Merton  Metallurgical  Co.  (Ltd.),  who  cany  on 
business  in  London  and  Frankfort,  lie  dealt  with  the  causes  of 
fluctuations  in  the  price  of  lead  ore  and  said  that  the  prohibition 
of  the  use  of  white  lead  for  painting  would  lead  to  a  reduction  of 
the  price  of  lead,  and  would  ruin  the  lead  mining  industry. 

Mr."  Julius  Matton  is  a  member  of  the  metal  exchange,  and  has  been 
connected  with  the  lead  trade  in  London  for  35  years.  He  esti- 
mated the  total  consumption  of  lead  in  England  at  about  200,000 
ton-,  of  which  approximately  45,000  tons  are  used  for  conversion 
into  white  lead  and  12,000  tons  for  conversion  into  red  lead  and 
litharge. 

The  prohibition  of  the  use  of  white  lead  in  painting  would  cause 
a  decrease  in  the  price  of  lead,  and  would  practically  destroy  the 
British  lead  mining  industry.     English  lead  commands  a  little  higher 

I)rice  than  most  foreign  lead  because  it  is  better  for  making  white 
ead,  but  it  is  no  better  than  the  average  foreign  lead  for  any  other 
purpose. 

Mr.  II.  C.  Lancaster  is  the  technical  director  of  Messrs.  Locke,  I 
•r,  and  W.W.&R.  Johnson  6c  Sons  (Ltd.).  desilverizers  aim  i 
ufacturers  of  lead  in  all  its  branches,  an.l  grinders  of  zinc  oxide,     lie 
con-iders  that  no  zinc  ores  exist  in  British  possessions  from  which 
a  marketable  zinc  oxide  can  be  made  by  the  direct  process;  he 
to  several  attempts  to  establish  this  manufacture  in  Great  Britain, 
and  said  all  resulted  in  more  or  less  failure.     If  made  by  the  indi 
method  it  could  not  compete  with  that  made  abroad  by  the  direct 
process.     Prohibition  of  lead  would  make  the  paint  trade  dependent 
on  foreign  supplies  of  raw  material.      He  admitted  that  there  is  at 
present  a  combination  for  maintaining  the  prices  of  white  lead. 


104 


BULLETIN    OF    THE    BUREAU    OF    LABOR    STATISTICS. 


The  proportions  of  zinc  and  lead  produced  in  the  British  Empire, 
as  compared  with  the  world's  production,  are  about  the  same,  as 
shown  by  the  following  table  for  the  year  1909: 


Production  in  metric  tons. 

Great 
Britain. 

Brit  ish 
colonies 

and 

depend- 
encies. 

Total 
British 
Empire. 

Ail  other 
countries. 

Lead 

23,000 

4,000 

204,000 
151,000 

227,000 
155,000 

826,000 

701,000 

Mr.  Lancaster  thought  if  lead  were  prohibited  there  would  be 
great  difficulty  in  producing  the  extra  amount  of  zinc  oxide  needed, 
and  the  price  would  presumably  go  up. 

The  witness  statecf  that  zinc  is  not  as  good  as  white  lead  for  out- 
side work,  but  when  it  was  pointed  out  that  some  large  users  who 
have  tried  it  have  found  it  just  as  good,  Mr.  Lancaster  said  no 
doubt  it  is  a  very  vexed  question.  One  man  will  pin  his  faith  to 
zinc  oxide  and  another  to  lead;  in  the  witness's  opinion  both  lead 
and  zinc  are  useful  for  pigments  and  they  have  their  specific  uses. 

Mr.  J.  Sibthorpe  said  he  was  a  master  house  painter  of  45  years' 
experience  and  has  carried  on  business  for  many  years  in  Dublin,  where 
he  employs  an  average  of  50  painters.  He  has  only  known  of  one 
case  of  lead  poisoning  amongst  his  men  for  the  last  10  years.  He 
agreed  that  the  lead  poisoning  evil  in  this  country  was  sufficiently 
great  to  justify  some  action  being  taken ;  he  would  prefer  the  introduc- 
tion of  regulations  rather  than  the  prohibition  of  the  use  of  lead.  He 
advocated  the  following  regulations : 

1.  The  labeling  of  all  receptacles  in  which  lead  colors  are  kept, 

sold,  or  sent  to  a  painting  job. 

2.  (a)  The  licensing  of  each  master  painter;  the  license  should 

be  so  worded  as  to  bind  the  latter  to  observe  all  regula- 
tions in  force  or  to  come  into  force  for  the  use  of  lead 
paint,  (b)  The  licensing  of  each  operative  painter, 
who  should  be  required  to  keep  a  card  upon  which 
should  be  noted  the  places  and  times  of  his  employ- 
ment for  at  least  12  months  and  any  attacks  of  lead 
sickness;  the  card  to  be  produced  for  inspection  by  any 
employer,  inspector,  or  examining  doctor. 

3.  Prohibition  of  the  use  of  white  lead  otherwise  than  in  the 

form  of  paste. 

4.  Prohibition  of  dry  pumice  stoning  or  glass-papering  of  old 

paint  or  surfaces  that  have  been  burned  off.  The  dry 
scraping  of  painted  woodwork  should  be  restricted  to 
the  very  few  cases,  less  than  5  per  cent,  where  it  is  abso- 
lutely necessary,  and  only  permitted  after  notice  to  the 
inspector,  so  that  safeguards  should  be  used.  The  wit- 
ness did  not  consider  that  there  was  any  danger  from  the 
dry  scraping  of  iron  because,  there  being  rust  underneath, 
the  paint  comes  off  in  Hakes.  He  also  regarded  glass- 
papering    between    coats    of    paint    as    nonhazardous, 


DANGER  IN   USE   OF   LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.      105 

because  fine  paper  is  used  to  remove  the  small  paint 
protuberances  called  "nibs"  and  almost  all  that  is  taken 
off  adheres  to  the  glass  paper.  Alternatively  the  use  of 
waterproof  glass  paper  or  ground  pumice  with  water 
should  be  insisted  on.  If  lead  were  prohibited  dry 
pumice  stoning  and  the  like  should  nevertheless  be  for- 
bidden for  at  least  20  years  afterwards. 

5.  Burning  off.     This  the  witness  does  not  consider  dangerous. 

6.  The  provision  of  overalls  by  the  workmen;  the  foreman  to 

see  to  the  observance  of  this  regulation,  clean  overalls 
being  insisted  on  every  Monday.  The  witness  consid- 
ered that  it  would  be  unfair  to  put  this  burden  upon  the 
employer,  (a)  because  they  provide  all  the  brushes; 
(b)  because  of  the  difficulties  and  delay  arising  from 
fitting;  and  (c)  because  of  the  liability  to  loss  which 
the  men  can  much  more  easily  prevent. 

7.  (a)  Facilities  for  washing,  i.  e.,  nailbrushes,  soap,  towels, 

and  hot  water ;  the  employer  to  be  absolutely  responsi- 
ble for  the  first  three  and  primarily  responsible  for  the 
last,  but  with  the  right  to  demand  it  from  an  occupier 
in  the  case  of  an  occupied  house,  (b)  Separate  place 
for  mess  room  and  for  storing  outdoor  clothing  apart 
from  the  place  where  the  paint  is  stored  and  mixed; 
the  responsibility  for  this  to  be  the  same  as  in  regard 
to  hot  water,  (c)  Provision  of  water-closet  accommo- 
dation; the  responsibility  for  this  hi  occupied  houses  to 
rest  on  the  occupier,  subject  to  the  liability  of  the  em- 
ployer to  make  good  any  damage. 

8.  All  licensed  employers  to  permit  their  paint  shops  to  bo 

inspected  whenever  called  upon. 

9.  All  licensed  workmen  to  be  medically  examined  at  least 

three  times  a  year.     The  individual  employer  or  the 
local  master  painters'  society  should  keep  a  register  in 
which  the  doctor  should  make  notes  of  his  inspections, 
and  the  dates  of  each  inspection  should  bo  entered  on 
the  workman's  card  by  the  inspecting  doctor. 
10.  Men  who  have  suffered  from  recurring  attacks  of  lead  pois- 
oning to  be  deprived  of  their  license  to  use  lead  and  to 
be  restricted  to  nonlead  employment;  alternatively  to 
receive  reasonable  compensation,  to  which  the  employ- 
ers during  the  preceding  12  months  should  contribute 
pro  rata. 
Mr.  Sibthorpe  believed  that  such  a  set  of  regulations  would  be  most 
iffective   in   preventing  lead   poisoning   and   woidd  not   impose   an 
unreasonable   burden  on   the  employer.     He  considered    that  they 
could  bo  efficiently  enforced  without  great  cost  to  the  community  by 
the  employment  of  special  inspectors  including  possible  expaintera 
who  have  had  to  leave  the  trade  owing  to  their  susceptibility  to  lead 
poisoning.     He  calculated  that  for  the  city  of  Dublin  with  a  popula- 
tion of  402,000  four  inspectors  at  a  salary  of  £2  ($9.73)  rising  to  £3 
($14.60)  a  week  would  suffice.     The  witness  regarded  the  alternative 
of  prohibition  of  lead  as  impracticable,   and  said  it  would  greatly 
increase  the  cost  of  painting  as  the  average  life  of  paint  would,  bo  at 
least  one-quarter  less.     In  the  witness's  opinion  the  only  substitute 


106  BULLETIN    OP    THE   BUREAU    OE    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

for  white  load  is  zinc  white,  which  is  much  less  durable  outside.  In 
certain  branches  of  work,  such  as  painting  of  ironwork  on  ships,  he 
claimed  that  there  is  no  practical  substitute  for  red  lead.  He  thought 
prohibition  would  involve  inspection  equally  with  regulations  and  it 
would  be  a  more  difficult  kind  of  inspection,  and  would  be  more 
unpopular  both  with  employers  and  men.  He  submitted  also  a  note 
regarding  the  instructions  of  the  commissioners  of  Irish  lights  and  of 
public  works,  who  specify  for  lead  painting. 

In  further  examination  he  said  that  he  would  agree  to  the  provision 
of  overalls  by  employers  if  such  a  rule  were  found  necessary.  He 
considered  inspection  could  be  carried  out  even  in  the  case  of  private 
houses,  and  maintained  that  the  use  of  substitutes  for  white  lead 
would  entail  25  per  cent  more  labor  as  well  as  more  frequent  painting. 
He  agreed  that  if  the  use  of  lead  were  prohibited  painters  could  use 
zinc  paints  equally  as  well  without  any  special  training. 

With  regard  to  the  number  of  special  inspectors  required,  the  pro- 
portion of  four  inspectors  for  the  city  of  Dublin  might,  if  applied 
throughout  the  United  Kingdom,  mean  450  such  inspectors.  In  his 
view  the  registrar's  fees  would  go  a  long  way  toward  paying  for  these 
inspectors. 

Mr.  G.  Plumb  is  foreman  of  the  painting  and  decorating  department 
of  Messrs.  G.  Trollope,  of  Pimlico.  He  has  had  44  years'  experience 
as  a  house  painter  and  has  been  nine  }Tears  in  control  of  a  large  body  of 
painters  averaging  from  150  to  350  according  to  the  season.  In  his 
opinion  white  lead  is  superior  to  any  other  kind  of  pigment  as  regards 
(1)  efficiency  and  (2)  durability.  As  regards  ironwork  he  considered 
that  nothing  can  generally  supersede  red  lead.  In  his  opinion  the 
dangers  of  dry  rubbing  down  have  been  exaggerated,  but  he  could  see 
no  objection  to  the  prohibition  of  that  process.  He  advocated  medi- 
cal examination,  provision  by  the  employer  of  washing  facilities  and 
the  wearing  of  overalls.  Regulations  should  be  made  compulsory  on 
workmen,  employers  and  householders  alike.  He  agreed  that  inspec- 
tors would  be  necessary  for  their  enforcement,  but  considered  that 
this  would  be  equally  necessary  with  prohibition. 

In  further  examination  he  stated  that  during  his  nine  years'  con- 
nection with  his  present  firm  there  have  only  been  three  cases  of  lead 
poisoning  with  compensation.  At  the  time  of  giving  evidence  there 
was  a  man  away  a  day  or  two  with  colic,  but  such  cases  are  not  serious. 
II-'  did  not  consider  that  they  had  many  cases  of  colic,  certainly  not  5 
per  cent  of  their  men.  These  cases  mostly  happen  on  country  jobs 
where  the  men  have  not  the  conveniences  of  their  own  homes.  He 
was  surprised  to  hear  of  cases  where  leadless  paints  had  been  used  suc- 
ally  and  affirmed  that  whenever  he  had  used  zinc  paints  he  had 
found  them  unsatisfactory.  He  agreed  that  red  oxide  of  iron  and 
graphite  paints  are  very  good,  but  not  equal  to  red  lead  as  an  under- 
coating  on  iron.  He  stated  that  most  of  his  own  work  had  been  high- 
class  decorating  work,  including  the  decorative  portions  of  five  or 
six  ships  of  the  Royal  Mail  Steam  Packet  Co.  and  one  of  the  Orient 
Line.  In  regard  to  the  latter  he  used  lead  and  said  there  was  no  stipu- 
lation to  the  contrary,  but  he  is  employed  by  the  contractors  on  new 
boats  only.  Ho  considered  that  wet  rubbing  down  was  in  certain 
cases  impracticable.  The  dry  rubbing  down  of  filling  and  stopping 
for  example,  could  not  be  abolished.     The  witness  further  alleged  that 


DANGER  IN  USE  OF  LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.     107 

all  dust,  even  zinc  dust,  would  be  harmful  if  breathed,  though  he 
admitted  that  he  had  no  evidence  that  zinc  was  poisonous. 

Prof.  Bettink  said  he  was  a  doctor  of  chemistry  and  a  pharma- 
ceutical chemist,  and  was  for  upwards  of  30  years  professor  of  phar- 
maceutical chemistry  and  toxicology  at  the  University  of  Utrecht. 
He  referred  to  the  work  of  the  Dutch  White  Lead  Commission 
appointed  on  September  13,  1903,  consisting  of  15  members  including 
Government  officials,  chemists,  technical  persons,  architects,  and 
three  master  painters.  In  October,  1906,  they  issued  a  provisional 
report  which  included  the  following  opinion:  "Zinc  white  paint  is  in 
no  respect  inferior  to  white  lead  paint  as  regards  covering  power,  and 
may  be  said  to  cover  even  slightly  better."  This  statement  was  criti- 
cized by  Mr.  Van  Hoek,  a  master  painter,  and  the  Netherlands  Master 
Painters'  Association,  on  the  ground  that  the  zinc  paint  experimented 
with  by  the  commission  was  too  thick  for  practical  use. 

Prof.  Bettink  detailed  the  final  conclusions  of  the  Dutch  commis- 
sion,1 and  went  on  to  say  that  although  zinc  oxide  retains  its  color 
in  the  presence  of  hydrogen  sulphide  it  does  not  resist  sulphurous 
vapors  as  well  as  lead  does.  In  the  witness's  opinion  also  it  has  a 
smaller  covering  power  in  the  proportion  of  118  to  153.  He  also 
referred  to  the  better  combination  of  lead  with  oil,  and  to  the  expec- 
tation that  regulations  would  be  issued  in  Holland  as  the  result  of 
the  commissioners'  report. 

With  regard  to  health  statistics,  he  alleged  that  painters  in  Holland 
arc  mostly  men  not  physically  strong  enough  to  follow  a  more  exact- 
ing vocation,  and  that  their  iilncss  is  often  more  due  to  general  weak- 
ness than  to  white  load. 

He  considered  that  the  fumes  from  burning  off  paint  are  not  dan- 
gerous, but  rubbing  down  should  be  done  wet.  White  lead  should 
also  not  be  supplied  to  painters  in  a  dry  state. 

He  quoted  the  amount  of  lead  used  by  the  marine  department  at 
Amsterdam,  and  summed  up  his  evidence  by  saying  that  zinc  oxide 
is  inferior  to  white  lead  in  durability  and  is  more  costly. 

In  further  examination,  Prof.  Bettink  said  he  investigated  cases  of 
lead  poisoning  on  behalf  of  the  Dutch  Government,  and  found  that 
in  six  years  there  had  been  four  cases  of  lead  poisoning  amongst, 
house  painters  in  the  city  of  Amsterdam,  which  has  600,000  inhabi- 
tants. There  were  four  hospital  eases,  as  there  arc  no  official  statis- 
tics kept  with  regard  to  lead  poisoning  generally  in  the  city.  The 
witness  agreed  that  there  would  be  a  much  larger  number  of  cases  of 
lead  poisoning  which  did  not  come  to  hospitals,  but  they  would  be  of 
minor  interest  as  the  serious  cases  all  go  through  the  hospitals.  Prof. 
Bettink  thought  a  good  many  cases  ofillness  attributed  to  lead  poison- 
ing are  not  really  lead  poisoning  at  all.  In  an  inquiry  made  in  Sep- 
tember and  October,  1911,  he  spoke  to  20  master  painters  employing 
"iherSOO  hands,  and  these  could  only  recall  one  case  of  lead 
poisoning  in  the  last  40  years.  He  also  questioned  operatives  and 
found  that  they  also  were  quite  convinced  of  the  smallness  of  the 
danger  of  lead  poisoning. 

After  some  further  criticism  of  the  conclusions  of  the  Dutch  com- 
mission, which  the  witness  said  were  contrary  to  his  own  views,  Prof. 
Bettink  said  it  had  been  noted  that  iron  oxide  paint  on  ship.-,  wasted 

1  Soo  Appendix  XXXIV  [Minutes  of  Evldi 


108  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

away  within  three  or  four  months.  Other  statements  in  regard  to 
the  inferiority  of  leadless  paints  the  witness  said  were  not  based  on  any 
practical  experience,  but  on  his  theoretical  knowledge  as  a  chemist. 
Zinc  paints  properly  mixed  with  oil  could  be  used  for  indoor  work, 
but  can  not  stand  exposuie  to  a  wet  atmosphere.  A  regulation  such 
as  the  prohibition  of  dry  rubbing  down,  which  is  already  in  force  in 
Amsterdam,  is  earned  into  effect  by  special  inspectors  of  labor  and 
inspectors  of  buildings,  who  have  a  right  to  enter  any  house  which  is 
being  erected  or  repaired. 

Mr.  J.  Holt  Schooling  is  a  fellow  of  the  Royal  Statistical  Society, 
and  an  associate  of  the  Institute  of  Actuaries,  and  holds  various  sta- 
tistical and  actuarial  appointments.  He  prepared  and  laid  before 
the  committee  a  lengthy  report  on  occupational  mortality,  based  on 
the  supplement  to  the  sixty-fifth  annual  report  of  the  registrar  gen- 
eral for  England  and  Wales. 

In  his  first  table  he  gives  the  mean  annual  death  rate  in  each  age 
group  for  a  number  of  occupations  which  have  a  higher  death  rate 
than  the  occupation  of  plumber,  painter,  and  glazier,  which  is  referred 
to  throughout  as  "Occupation  64."  He  also  pointed  out  that  there 
are  only  six  occupations  in  England  and  Wales  where  the  death  rate 
in  all  age  groups  is  lower  than  the  death  rate  in  occupation  64. 

In  connection  with  the  third  table,  Mr.  Schooling  points  out  that 
at  all  ages  the  death  rate  from  plumbism  in  occupation  64  is  one 
fifty-fourth  part  of  the  death  rate  from  all  causes  and  actually  amounts 
to  0.23  deaths  per  annum  per  thousand  living.  He  adds:  "This  rate 
is  much  smaller  than  the  special  death  risks  that  attach  to  various 
other  occupations,  and  it  is  relatively  trivial." 

In  the  next  table  the  witness  points  out  that  the  death  rates  in 
occupation  64  have  been  decreasing  since  1S80-1882  at  a  much 
greater  rate  than  the  decrease  in  the  death  rates  of  all  occupied  males. 

In  the  fifth  table  this  decrease  in  the  death  rates  is  further  com- 
pared with  that  for  air  occupied  males  in  industrial  districts  of  Eng- 
land and  Wales.  From  these  and  other  tables  put  in  by  the  witness, 
he  deduces  that  the  mortality  in  occupational  group  64  "Plumber, 
painter,  and  glazier,"  is  in  no  way  excessive  or  abnormal. 

Mr.  Holt  Schooling  next  deals  with  occupational  sickness  and  refers 
to  the  extensive  investigation  by  the  Manchester  Unity  Friendly 
Society  published  in  1903.  The  special  data  relating  to  house  paint- 
ers were,  however,  not  available,  as  the  detailed  data  were  destroyed 
on  the  completion  of  the  investigation.  From  such  data  as  are  avail- 
able, the  witness  deduces  that  "there  does  exist  some  presumptive 
evidence  that  the  sickness  from  all  causes  in  the  occupation  plumber, 
painter,  and  glazier,  is  not  in  excess  of  the  sickness  among  the  general 
population"  (Q.  18622). 

The  witness  also  deduces  that,  assuming  identical  age  distribution 
in  both  cases  the  mortality  from  lead  poisoning  per  100  cases  of  sick- 
ness from  lead  poisoning  is  slightly  less  than  the  mortality  from  all 
causes  per  100  cases  of  sickness  from  all  causes,  there  being  4.3 
deaths  per  100  cases  of  lead  poisoning  as  compared  with  4.7  deaths 
per  100  cases  of  sickness  of  all  kinds.  This  relates  to  all  occupations, 
not  house  painters  only. 

In  the  absence  of  reliable  data  of  occupational  sickness,  Mr.  Holt 
Schooling  suggests  that  a  large  friendly  society  or  a  number  of  small 
friendly  societies  should  be  induced  to  fill  up  experience  cards,  one 


DANGER  IX  USE   OF  LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.      109 

for  each  member  engaged  in  an  occupation  exposed  to  the  risk  of  lead 
poisoning;  at  present,  in  the  witness's  opinion,  no  valid  basis  exists 
by  which  to  form  any  sound  opinion  as  to  the  incidence  of  sickness 
amongst  house  painters. 

In  further  examination,  the  witness  admitted  that  there  are  a  cer- 
tain number  of  deaths  from  lead  poisoning  and  from  diseases  which 
are  accelerated  by  exposure  to  lead;  if  a  painter  could  be  safeguarded 
against  all  risk  of  lead  poisoning  the  mortality  might  be  slightly  re- 
duced. The  elimination  of  deaths  attributable  to  lead  poisoning 
would  not  make  much  difference,  as  the  witness  considers  that  the 
mortality  from  plumbism  is  relatively  trivial.  He  pointed  out  that 
he  used  the  expression  "the  mortality  among  painters  is  by  no  means 
unduly  high"  in  a  purely  statistical  sense,  meaning  that  it  is  not  much 
higher  than  the  average;  if  it  were  possible  to  eliminate  the  lead  poi- 
soning, then  it  would  be  correct  to  say  that  the  present  figures  are 
unduly  high  by  such  an  amount  as  represents  the  mortality  from  lead 
poisoning.  As  pointed  out  in  Table  C,1  the  death  rate  from  plumbism 
is  only  one  fifty-fourth  part  of  the  death  rate  from  all  causes;  the 
witness  was  disposed  to  agree  that  this  might  be  paraphrased  by 
saying  that  out  of  every  54  painters,  plumbers,  and  glaziers  who 
died,  only  53  would  die  if  there  were  no  exposure  to  risk  of  lead 
poisoning.  He  agreed  that  the  one  of  54  who  now  dies  of  lead 
poisoning  ought  to  be  saved  if  possible,  provided  that  care  is  taken 
not  to  drive  him  to  death  from  drink  or  unemployment  or  other 
causes. 

The  witness  was  not  in  possession  of  the  statistics  of  the  painters' 
societies,  and  agreed  that  if  these  are  properly  collated  and  properly 
considered,  they  must  carry  great  weight. 

With  regard  to  the  tables  of  occupational  sickness,  the  witness  said 
the  data  arc  entirely  defective.  He  admitted  (Q.  18726)  that  it  was 
not  satisfactory  to  state  (Q.  18630)  that  "Perhaps  the  occupation, 
paints,  and  colors  plus  coach  building  plus  white  lead,  is  the  group 
most  likely  to  include  house  painters,"  inasmuch  as  house  painters 
are  not  included  under  the  factory  act  at  all.  He  minimized  the 
importance  of  any  statistics  which  did  not  include  age  distribution. 
He  admitted  that  48  and  35  deaths  from  lead  poisoning  among  house 
painters  and  plumbers,  in  1911  and  1910,  respectively,  constitute  a 
iact  deplorable  in  itself. 

Mr.  E.  M.  Johnson  is  a  director  of  Messrs.  Locke,  Lancaster  &  Co., 
and  W.  W.  &  R.  Johnson  (Ltd.),  lead  desilverizers  and  white  lead 
corroders;  he  has  also  acted  as  chairman  of  the  committee  of  the 
white  lead  corroders  section  of  the  London  Chamber  of  Commerce. 
He  submitted  three  reasons  against  prohibition: 

(1)  There  is  no  statistical  or  other  evidence  that  prohibition 

is  more  necessary  in  the  case  of  red  and  white  lead  than 
in  the  case  of  other  articles. 

(2)  Tli at  prohibition  has  not  been  possible   elsewhere  and  is 

not  possible  in  the  United  Kingdom. 

(3)  That  education  and  regulations  have  been  successful  else- 

where and  if  tried  here  would  be  successful. 
In  connection  with  the  iirst  point  Mr.  Johnson  summarized    Mr. 
Holt  Schooling's  evidence,  as  well  as  that  of  Mr.  Goadby,  Prof.  Arm- 
strong, and  Mr.  Klein. 

1  In  Minutes  of  Evidence,  presented  in  a  separate  volume  of  the  origmal  report. 


110  BULLETIN    OF    THE    BUREAU    OF    LABOR    STATISTICS. 

In  connection  with  the  second  point,  that  prohibition  has  not  been 
possible  elsewhere,  Mr.  Johnson  referred  to  the  evidence  of  Dr.  Kaup, 
Dr.  Rambousek,  M.  Ricker-Devroede,  Herr  Leyendecker,  Herij 
Dullens,  Herr  Niederhanser,  Prof.  Wefers  Bettink,  M.  de  Morsier, 
Dr.  Roch,  and  others.  The  witness  also  quoted  a  passage  from  the 
report  of  the  British  consul  at  Lille  to  the  effect  that  the  law  prohib- 
iting the  use  of  white  lead  for  outdoor  painting  purposes,  which  corned 
into  operation  on  the  1st  January,  1915,  does  not  appear  to  be  in 
favor  with  the  public,  and  pointing  out  that  there  is  no  sensible  de- 
crease  in  the  amount  of  white  lead  used. 

Under  the  third  head,  that  education  and  regulations  have  been 
successful  elsewhere  and  if  tried  here  would  be  successful,  Mr.  John- 
son again  referred  to  points  in  the  evidence  of  foreign  witnesses,  and 
emphasized  the  opinions  expressed  by  Mr.  Plumb  and  Mr.  Sibthorpc 
that  there  is  no  practical  difficulty  in  dispensing  with  dry  rubbing 
down.  He  advocated  the  prohibition  of  this  process  as  in  the  Aus- 
trian and  German  regulations.  He  claimed  that  an  effective  systend 
of  regulation  need  not  be  costly,  as  the  workmen  themselves  might 
t  through  the  trade-unions  in  the  enforcement  of  the  regulations 
as  happens  in  Germany  and  Austria,  and  that  the  supervision  of 
painting  operations  might  be  intrusted  to  the  sanitary  inspectors  ant 
surveyors  of  the  various  local  authorities;  or,  alternatively,  the  in- 
spectorate set  up  under  the  national  health  insurance  act  might  be 
utilized — he  suggested  that  40  additional  insurance  act  inspectors 
would  be  ample  for  this  extra  work.  Mr.  Johnson  said  he  did.  not 
wish  to  draft  a  set  of  regulations,  but  he  tabulated  the  points  which  he 
thought  should  be  included  in  regulations. 

FOR  BOTH  INSIDE  AND  OUTSIDE  HOUSE  PAINTING. 

(a)  The  affixing  of  notices  calling  attention  to  the  regulations  and 
to  the  dangers  attendant  on  painting  work;  each  employer  to  be 
responsible  that  every  workman  has  a  copy  of  the  regulations  anc 
instructions  before  engaging  him. 

(b)  Prohibition  of  mixing  and  use  of  dry  colors  except  in  white 
lead  or  grinding  works  under  Home  Office  regulations. 

(<■)  Prohibition  of  dry  pumice  stoning  and  dry  scraping  off  of  al 
paints. 

((/)  Clear  labeling  of  vessels  containing  lead. 

(e)  Provision  and  weekly  washing  of  aprons  or  overalls  or  both, 
and  head  coverings;  washing  facilities  to  be  provided  in  all  ca 
including  hot  water  if  convenient,  otherwise  special  soap  to  be  pro- 
vided for  use  with  cold  water,  and  nailbrushes;  ten  minutes  to  be  al- 
lowed for  washing  before  meals  and  on  leaving  work. 

(/')  Quarterly  or  half-yearly  inspection  by  a  doctor;  proper  re;. 
tn  of  self-blood  examination. 

(g)  Workmen  to  submit  themselves  to  prescribed  medical  exami- 
nations,  and  to  produce  to  the  employer  or  inspector  their  card  shov- 
ing date  of  last  medical  inspection. 

(h)  Doctor  to  have  power  to  suspend  for  prophylactic  reasons, 

(')   Master  to  have  power  to  dismiss  and  not  to  reengage  for  s.- 
>ns. 

(j)  If  medical  inspector  certifies  a  man  to  be  alcoholic,  he  is  not  to 
be  employed  where  he  woidd  come  into  contact  with  lead  or  othei 
metallic  poisons. 


DANGER  IN   USE   OF   LEAD  IX   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.      Ill 

(k)  No  workman  to  be  employed  without  a  certificate  of  good  health 
from  an  approved  doctor. 

(?)  Workmen  handling  white  lead  to  work  in  such  a  way  as  to  avoid 
contact  of  the  substance  with  the  hands  and  also  to  avoid  splashes. 

(???)  Workmen  so  employed  to  wear  clothing  and  headgear  exclu- 
sively reserved  for  this  work,  and  to  keep  them  in  a  good  state  of 
cleaiiliness  and  to  take  them  off  before  leaving  the  work  place. 

(»)  Before  taking  food  or  drink  and  before  leaving  the  work  place, 
workmen  to  rinse  their  mouths  and  also  to  wash  hands  and  faces  with 
special  soap.  Food  brought  into  the  work  places  to  be  inclosed  in 
boxes  or  coverings  kept  well  shut  until  the  mealtime. 

(o)  Workmen  to  keep  the  material  and  tools  under  their  charge  in 
a  good  state  of  cleanliness. 

(p)  Workmen  to  be  forbidden  to  bring  spirits  or  tobacco  or  to  con- 
sume either  in  the  work  place. 

(a)  Breaches  of  any  of  these  regulations  to  be  punished  by  a  fine. 

(;)  Increased  fines  for  repeated  offenses. 

ADDITIONAL  FOR  INSIDE  HOUSE  PAINTING  ONLY. 

(a)  Rubbing  off  and  pumice  stoning  off  old  paint  only  after  pre- 
vious and  complete  moistening.  Everything  rubbed  off  to  be  re- 
moved before  it  becomes  dry. 

(b)  Foremen  to  be  responsible  for  above,  and  for  seeing  that  a  copy 
of  the  regulations  and  instructions  is  displayed  on  every  job. 

In  further  examination  Mr.  Johnson  admitted  the  official  figures 
giving  the  proportion  of  metallic  lead  imported  into  this  country  as 
92  per  cent  of  the  total;  approximately  one-third  of  this  comes  from 
British  possessions.  Notwithstanding  this,  Mr.  Johnson  stated  that 
pig  lead  is  mainly,  if  not  entirely,  a  British  product  because  of  the 
large  amount  of  desilverizing  which  is  done  on  foreign  lead.  lie  said 
that  he  thought  the  pig  lead  as  used  in  this  country  for  white  lead 
making  is  mainly,  if  not  entirely,  a  British  product,  and  added 
"Whether  it  is  foreign  or  English  you  are  going  to  interfere  with  the 
consumption  in  this  country  of  some  25  per  cent." 

lie  did  not  dispute  the  registrar  general's  figures  showing  the  mini: 
ber  of  deaths  from  lead  poisoning  among  house  painters  and  agrei  d 
that  everything  possible  and  reasonable  should  be  done  to  prevent 
this  part  of  the  mortality  among  house  painters.  He  agreed  that 
regulations  or  prohibition  are  the  only  alternatives.  It  was  not  his 
impression  that  the  enforcement  of  the  prohibition  of  dry  rubbing 
down  would  be  impracticable.  He  was  not  in  a  position  to  produ<  e 
statistics  thai  lead  poisoning  had  been  stamped  out  by  regulations 
in  any  count  said  there  had  not  been  time  yet  to  show  the  full 

advantage  gained.  He  advocated  that  regulations  should  be  drafted 
by  an  impartial  committee,  but  stated  emphatically  that  he  real 
the  present  committee  to  be  an  impartial  one,  and  did  not  wish  to 
thing  to  the  contrary.  He  withdrew  the  statements 
made  in  his  proof  regarding  the  large  reduction  in  1  lie  number  of  ca  »es 
of  lead  poisoning  in  the  period  1909-1910,  as  it  was  pointed  out  to 
him  that  he  had  taken  factory  cases  and  house  painting  together; 
the  reduction  was  entirely  in  the  former  class;  the  increase  in  the 
cases  in  the  latter  class  he  attributed  partly  to  recent  compensation 
legislation. 


112  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU   OF    LABOR  STATISTICS. 

Mr.  Johnson's  suggestions  as  to  regulations  were  based  on  what 
has  been  found  necessary  for  factories  and  also  on  foreign  regulations; 
he  admitted  that  some  master  painters  might  regard  them  as  irk- 
some, and  he  recognized  the  difficulty,  if  not  the  impossibility,  of 
carrying  out  some  of  these  regulations  in  the  house  painting  trade. 
He  had  not  taken  any  steps  to  ascertain  whether  the  regulations  sug- 
gested by  the  white  lead  corroders  would  be  acceptable  to  the  paint- 
ing trade.  He  emphasized  the  hardships  which  the  Welsh  lead  miners 
would  suffer  under  prohibition,  and  also  said  that  it  would  not  be 
possible  to  adapt  the  machinery  now  used  for  making  white  lead  to 
the  producing  of  zinc  white. 

Mr.  Johnson  was  recalled  and  further  examined  on  the  following 
day,  when  he  called  the  committee's  attention  to  the  importance  of 
the  system  of  blood  examinations  of  lead  workers  and  dwelt  further 
on  the  economic  disadvantages  of  prohibition.  He  stated  that  he 
had  no  practical  experience  of  the  system  of  self-inspection,  but  con- 
sidered that  something  of  the  kind  was  necessary  to  insure  proper 
observance  of  regulations.  He  also  advocated  the  use  of  national, 
health  insurance  records  for  the  collection  of  statistics  and  reaffirmed 
the  possibility  of  utilizing  sanitary  inspectors  and  other  officers  of 
the  local  authority  for  the  enforcement  of  regulations  applicable  to 
house  painters.  He  alluded  to  the  unfamiliarity  of  country  doctors 
with  lead  poisoning.  He  desired  to  call  attention  to  special  soap 
intended  for  the  use  of  lead  workers.  He  also  advocated  trade  guilds 
for  painters  on  the  lines  of  the  existing  plumbers'  guilds.  Mr.  Johnson 
agreed  that  the  cost  of  medical  examinations,  and  indeed  the  cost  of 
compliance  with  regulations  of  any  kind,  would  be  finally  borne  by 
the  consumer. 


ANALYSIS  OF  EVIDENCE. 


EXTENT  OF  THE  LEAD  POISONING  EVIL  AMONG  HOUSE 

PAINTERS. 

STATISTICS  OF  FATAL  CASES. 

The  employment  of  house  painting  is  for  the  most  part  confined  to 
premises  which  do  not  come  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  factory  acts, 
and  to  this  extent,  therefore,  there  is  no  compulsory  obligation  to 
report  to  any  government  department  the  cases  of  lead  poisoning 
which  occur  among  house  painters.  There  are  accordingly  no  com- 
plete statistics  available;  indeed,  as  far  as  nonfatal  cases  arc  con- 
cerned no  reliable  information  can  be  obtained,  and  the  committee 
have  been  obliged  to  fall  back  on  approximate  estimates. 

In  respect  of  fatal  cases  arrangements  weie  made  in  1898  with  the 
registrar  general  for  England  and  Wales  *  to  forward  to  the  Home 
Office  copies  of  all  death  certificates  on  which  lead  poisoning  appeal's 
as  the  cause  of  death,  and  in  Appendix  X2  an  analysis  of  them  is  given 
extending  over  a  period  of  10  years,  namely,  from  1900  to  1909, 
inclusive. 

From  this  analysis  it  will  be  seen  that  of  the  deaths  notified  as  due 
to  lead  poisoning,  Dr.  Lcgge,  H.  M.  medical  inspector  of  factories, 
Home  Office,  has  critically  examined  627  certificates,  which  respec- 
tively represented  284  house  painters,  79  house  plumbers,  and  264 
factory  operatives;  these  figures  are  not,  however,  quite  exhaustive, 
and  the  total  notifications  of  such  deaths  are  so  important  that,  in 
addition,  it  is  advisable  to  give  the  following  table,  showing  the  actual 
statistics  (a)  for  the  period  1900-1909,  and  (b)  for  the  years  1910- 
1913,  inclusive. 

DEATHS  FROM  LEAD  POISONING. 


Year. 

Occupations  not  under  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  factory  acts. 

Occupa- 
tions under 
I  lit'  jurisdic- 
tion of  the 
factory  acts. 

nouse 
painters. 

House 

plumbers. 

Total. 

Total. 

31 
30 
26 
32 
30 
19 
30 
32 
29 
34 

11 
11 
6 
7 
9 
9 
6 
7 

IS 
13 

42 
41 
32 
39 
39 
2* 
36 

11 
17 

38 

1901   

34 

1902 

14 

1903  

19 

1904 

26 

1905  

23 

33 



1907  

26 

1908  

32 

1909 

30 

Total,  10  years,  1900-1009 

293 

94 

387 

275 

1910. 

31 
36 

37 

.1 

6 
13 
10 

6 

37 
18 

47 
37 

38 

1:1!            

37 

1012                  

41 

1013                

27 

Total,  14  years,  1900-1913 

427 

L29 

556 

421 

i  Similar  arrangements  have  been  made  with  the  registrars  general  for  Scotland  and  I  reland,  but  only  from 
191(1  onwards. 
2  In  Minutes  of  Evidence,  presented  in  a  separate  volume  of  tho  original  report. 

25235°— Bull.  1SS— 1G 8  113 


114  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

These  figures  show  that  the  number  of  deaths  from  lead  poisoning 
among  house  painters,  viz,  427,  alone  exceeds  the  total  of  all  deaths 
from  lead  poisoning  among  factory  operatives,  notwithstanding  that 
the  latter  include  workers  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  white  lead 
and  other  lead  compounds,  in  the  manufacture  of  pottery,  in  lead 
smelting,  and  many  other  industries  in  which  the  risk  of  lead  poisoning 
has  long  been  recognized,  and  which  have  been  the  subject  of  special 
legislation  as  shown  in  the  following  table: 


116 


BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 


Industry. 

(1) 

Under  general  pro- 
visions only  of  fac- 
tory acts.1 

(2) 

Under  special  rules. 
(3) 

Under  regulations. 
(4) 

1 

Smelting  oi  lead  and  other  metals. . . 

1879-1894 

1894-1911 

From  1912 

0 

1879-1896... 

1896-1910... 

From  1910... 

3 

From  1879 

4 

From  1879 

5 

From  1879 

6 

1879-1902 

From  1903 

7 

1879-1904 

1894-1909 

From  1909 

S 

1879-1SS3  2 

From  1883 

9 

Red  lead 

1879-1S93 

1894-1911 

From  1912 

10 

1879-1894  3 

1894-1912 

From  1913 

10a 

1879-1898 

1899-1913 

From  1913... 

11 

From  1S79 

12 

1879-1893 

1894-1908 

From  1909 

13 

1879-1893 

1894-1903 

From  1901 

14 

1879-1893* 

1894-1907 

From  1907... 

15 

From  1879 

16 

From  1879 

17 

Paint  used  in  other  industries 

From  1879 

18 

From  1879 

(5) 

(5) 

Total 

1  Inspectors  have  had  power  since  1S79  to  require  fans  where  dust  is  generated  to  an  injurious  extent,  and 
since  1895  similar  power  regarding  fames.  Washing  conveniences  have  been  required  since  1896  where 
lead  is  used.  Mess  rooms  and  exclusion  from  workrooms  during  mealtime  have  been  required  since  1901 
where  lead  is  so  used  as  to  give  rise  to  dust  or  fumes. 


DANGER  IN  USE   OF   LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.      117 


Deaths  from  lead  poisoning. 

1900 

1901 

1902 

1903 

1904 

1905 

1906 

1907 

190S 

1909 

1910 

1911 

1912 

1913 

Total. 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

(10) 

(11) 

(12) 

(13) 

(1-1) 

(15) 

(16) 

(17) 

(18) 

(19) 

1 
1 

3 

1 

2 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 

2 

1 

2 

5 

5 

3 
1 

7 

3 

36 

3 
21 
24 
22 

3 
36 

1 
99 

1 
11 

2 

8 
9 

61 

21 

30 

1 

2 

2 

3 

1 
1 

2 
2 

3 
4 

2 
4 

4 
2 

2 
3 

1 
4 
1 

2 
2 
2 

5 

1 

1 

4 

2 
3 

1 

7 

2 
2 

1 

5 
6 

1 
1 

1 
7 

1 

2 

7 

G 

7 

1 

2 

2 

3 

2 

1 

2 
1 
6 

S 
9 

8 

5 

4 

3 

4 

3 

4 

9 

12 

5 

11 

14 
1 
1 

11 
1 

10 
10A. 

3 

2 
1 
1 

1 

1 

2 

11 

i 

1 

12 

1 

5 
2 
5 
4 

1 

1 

1 

3 

1 
5 

2 
2 
6 
1 

2 

1 
6 
2 
3 
3 

1 

1 
2 
1 
3 
1 

13 

1 
5 

1 
1 

1 
4 
3 
3 

1 

3 

2 
2 

1 

7 
1 
3 
2 

1 
3 
1 

2 
2 

14 

4 

1 

1 

1 
1 
1 

5 
6 
1 
4 

2 

3 
2 

15 
16 
17 
IS 

38 

34 

14 

19 

26 

23 

33 

26 

32 

30 

38 

37 

44 

27 

421 

»  Employment  of  workers  under  18  prohibited  from  1S79;  taking  of  meals  in  workrooms  prohibited  from 
1882. 
3  Taking  of  meals  prohibited  in  dipping  department  from  1879,  and  in  majolica  pa  in  ting  from  1S82. 
*  Taking  of  meals  prohibited  in  places  where  dry  powder  or  dust  is  used  from  1882. 
6  Heading  of  yarn  only,  under  special  rules,  1S95-1S07;  under  regulations  from  1907. 


118 


BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR    STATISTICS. 


INCIDENCE  OF  LEAD  POISONING  AMONG  PAINTERS  IN  RELATION  TO 

NUMBERS  EMPLOYED. 

Census  of  occupation. — The  number  of  painters  and  glaziers  in 
England  and  Wales  shown  in  the  census  of  1911  was  as  follows: 

Painters 181, 613 

Glaziers 2,  950 

Total 184,  563 

In  the  1901  census,  glaziers  were  not  counted  separately,  but  the 
total  of  painters  and  glaziers  was  160,201. 

Assuming  that  the  proportion  of  glaziers  to  painters  was  the 
same  in  1901  as  in  1911,  we  obtain  the  following  figures  for  1901: 

Painters 157,  640 

Glaziers 2,  561 

Total 160,  201 

The  average  number  of  painters  in  the  years  1901-1911  in  England 
and  Wales  is  therefore  169,627.  Of  this  total  about  12  per  cent, 
or  approximately  20,000,  may  be  taken  as  being  employers,  and 
the  balance,  in  round  figures,  150,000. 

Deaths  from  lead  poisoning. — Among  these  workers  there  occurred 
in  ten  years  1900-1909,  293  deaths  which  were  certified  as  due  to 
lead  poisoning,  or  a  mortality  rate  of  0.195  per  1,000  per  annum. 

MORTALITY  RATES  FROM  LEAD  POISONING  IN  OTHER  INDUSTRIES. 

For  purposes  of  comparison,  the  following  average  mortality 
rates  for  the  14  years  1900  to  1913,  have  been  calculated  for  various 
lead  industries  under  the  factory  act;  but  the  numbers  employed 
in  most  of  these  industries  are  too  small  to  justify  attaching  very 
special  importance  to  a  death  rate  per  1,000. 


Industry. 

Number 

employed 

in  lead 
processes. 

Total 
deaths  in 
H  rears 
(1900-13). 

Mortality 

jwr  1,000 

per  annum. 

1,201 

933 
878 
1,475 
1,400 
7.0s.-, 
2,*7S 
29,308 

5s, 777 

30 

1 

1 

8 

9 

99 

36 

61 

22 

24 

2.111 
.076 

.OSl 

.3S7 

.  159 
.998 
.  893 
.149 
.2S3 
.029 

V  itreous  enameling 

Tinning  of  metals 

Earthenware  and  china.. 

File  cutting 

In  addition  to  the  certificates  of  death  due  to  lead  poisoning 
which  were  provided  by  the  registrar  general,  accurate  statistics 
were  obtained  from  the  two  principal  societies  of  the  painting  trade, 
namely,  the  National  Amalgamated  Society  of  House  and  Ship 
Painters  and  Decorators,  and  the  Scottish  Society  of  House  and 
Ship  Painters. 

Of  these  two  societies  the  former  had,  at  the  time  of  taking  evi- 
dence, a  membership  of  16,000  and  tbe  latter  3,240.  Each  society 
has  preserved  accurate  and  up-to-date  records  of  deaths  occurring 


DANGER  IN  USE   OF  LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.      119 

among  their  members,  the  one  from  1905  and  the  other  from  1901, 
and  from  these  sources  their  secretaries  x  were  able  to  place  at  the 
disposal  of  Dr.  E.  L.  Collis, 1  II.  M.  medical  inspector  of  factories, 
Home  Office,  detailed  particulars  of  1,240  deaths. 

Of  these  deaths,  Dr.  Collis  has  given  an  analysis  in  Tables  I  and  II 
of  Appendix  XII,2  and  in  the  latter  has  compared  the  figures  relating 
to  painters  with — (a)  the  total  number  of  deaths  of  all  males  which 
occurred  in  England  and  Wales  from  1900  to  1902,  inclusive;  and 
(J))  the  class  designated  "Plumbers,  painters,  and  glaziers"  in  the 
returns  of  the  registrar  general. 

The  figures  quoted  in  Table  I2  further  indicate  two  very  important 
conclusions,  namely:  (1)  that  in  every  100  deaths  which  have  occurred 
among  members  of  these  societies  between  13  and  14  occurred  from 
causes  attributable  to  lead,  and  among  the  class  "Plumber,  painter, 
and  glazier"  about  12;  (2)  that  the  average  age  at  death  due  to  all 
causes  in  the  painting  industry  is  no  less  than,  eight  years  younger 
than  that  of  all  males. 

ESTIMATE  OF  NUMBER  OF  NONFATAL  CASES. 

In  respect  of  nonfatal  cases  of  lead  poisoning  among  house  painters, 
the  committee,  as  already  stated,  have  no  reliable  statistics  to  sub- 
mit. It  is  true  that,  although  exempt  from  the  legal  obligation  which 
applies  in  respect  of  factory  operatives,  medical  practitioners  do 
occasionally  report  such  cases,  but  the  percentage  of  those  reported 
to  the  total  number  it  is  clearly  impossible  to  define,  and  in  all 
probability  is  constantly  varying.  Such  as  they  are,  however, 
whether  notified  voluntarily  or  in  the  erroneous  belief  that  the 
legal  requirement  exists,"  the  committee  submit  the  yearly  returns 
for  what  they  are  worth  in  the  following  table. 

Nonfatal  cases  of  lead  poisoning  voluntarily  reported: 

Year.  House  painters  and  plumbers. 

1900 ,.... 

1901 169 

1902 179 

1903 201 

1904 227 

1905 163 

190G 181 

1907 174 

1908 239 

1909 24] 

1910 232 

191] 263 

1912 256 

1913 291 

In  default  of  any  complete  statistics  bearing  on  the  point,  Dr. 
Legge,  H.  M.  medical  inspector  of  lactones,  Home  Office,  has  sug- 
gested that  it  would  probably  be  reasonable  to  assume  that  the 
proportion  of  fatal  to  nonfatal  cases  is  substantially  the  same  in 
the  house  painting  trade  as  it  is  in  all  tho  factory  industries  taken 
together.  On  this  assumption  the  total  number  of  lead  poisoning 
attacks   among   house   painters    and    plumbers   would    amount   to 

i  Mi- 

2  In  Minutes  of  Evidence,  presented  in  a  separate  volume  of  the  original  report. 


120 


BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 


nearly   1,000  per  annum,  but  this  estimate  is  a  very  rough  one, 
and  can  not  be  regarded  as  reliable  for  accurate  calculation. 

It  is,  however,  worth  while  noting  the  figure  at  which,  if  com- 

Euted  on  this  principle,  the  number  of  cases  would  work  out  among 
ouse  painters  taken  alone,  and  comparing  it  with  the  attack  rates 
which  have  been  calculated  for  the  various  industries  under  the 
factory  acts  in  which  the  number  of  workers  in  direct  contact  with 
lead  is  definitely  known.  In  this  respect,  in  the  years  1900-1909, 
out  of  6,762  cases  of  illness  due  to  lead  poisoning  among  operatives 
employed  on  premises  under  the  factory  and  workshop  acts,  the  num- 
ber of  deaths  amounted  to  275,  and  during  the  same  period  the 
number  among  house  painters  due  to  the  same  cause  to  293.  The 
estimated  number  accordingly  of  attacks  of  lead  poisoning  among 
house  painters  in  ten  jTears  would  work  out  as  follows,  viz: 


6,762X293 
275 


7,205  cases,  or  an  annual  average  of  720.5. 


As,  therefore,  the  average  number  of  operative  painters  as  above 
estimated  is  150,000,  their  attack  rate  from  lead  poisoning  is  approxi- 
mately 4.8  per  1,000  per  annum;  those  of  the  various  industries 
under  the  Factory  and  Workshop  Act  with  which,  as  above-men- 
tioned, this  rate  should  be  compared,  are  as  follows: 

ATTACK  RATES  FROM  LEAD  TOISONING— AVERAGE  OF  14  YEARS,  1900-1913. 


Industry. 

Number 
employed 

in  lead 
processes. 

Total  cases 
in  14  years. 

Attack 
rate  per 
1,000  per 
annum. 

White  lead 

1,201 
933 
878 
1,475 
1,400 
7,085 
2,878 

29,308 
5,556 

58, 777 

1,422 
102 
192 
422 
501 

1,376 
576 

1,026 
265 
523 

84. 6 

7.8 
15.6 
20.4 
25.6 
13.9 
14.3 
2.0 
3.4 
0.6 

Vitreous  enameling 

Tinning  of  metals 

Electric  accumulators  . . . 

Paints  and  colors 

Earthenware  and  china. . 
Smelting  of  metals 

But  while  the  rates  of  deaths  and  attacks  due  to  lead  poisoning 
among  house  painters  are  thus  comparatively  small,  they  are  not  so 
insignificant  as  at  first  appears.  In  the  first  place  the  case  incidence 
is  materially  affected  by  certain  conditions  of  employment  peculiar 
to  the  trade.  Painting  operations,  for  example,  are  not  carried  on 
with  full  vigor  throughout  the  year  and  very  few  painters  therefore 
are  exposed  to  the  risk  of  lead  poisoning  during  more  than  nine  months 
out  of  twelve.  Moreover,  such  is  the  diversity  of  their  occupation — 
including,  as  it  does,  preparatory  work  of  all  kinds,  whitewashing, 
distempering  and  the  like — that  the  estimated  time  during  which  a 
painter  is  actually  handling  lead  materials  is  not  more  than  one-third 
of  his  working  hours.  Inasmuch  as  a  period  of  absence  from  lead 
work  assists  the  system  to  regain  its  normal  condition,  the  above  con- 
siderations alone  might  be  expected  to  reduce  the  incidence  by  more 
than  75  per  cent,  and  to  that  extent  the  rates — whether  of  death  or 
illness — as  indicating  the  magnitude  of  the  danger  to  which  operatives 
are  exposed  when  in  full  work,  would  be  very  greatly  underestimated. 


DANGER  IX  USE   OF   LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.     121 

Further,  it  must  be  remembered  that  a  large  and  increasing  propor- 
tion of  the  150,000  operative  painters  are  partly  engaged  in  applying 
leadless  paints,  and  that  by  their  elimination  the  death  and  case  rates 
of  those  constantly  using  lead  paints  would  be  still  further  increased. 

But  notwithstanding  the  various  circumstances  which  tend  to 
reduce  the  death  and  case  rates  per  1,000,  the  evil  of  lead  poisoning 
among  house  painters  is  shown  to  be  productive  of  an  actual  average 
of  29  deaths  and  an  estimated  average  of  720  cases  per  annum.  In 
other  relations  of  life  it  is  generally  admitted  that  against  such  an 
amount  of  sickness  and  death  every  precaution  ought  to  be  taken, 
and  even  in  such  instances  as  casualties,  caused  by  London  traffic, 
which,  if  calculated  per  1,000  of  those  daily  using  the  streets  would 
show  the  smallest  mortality  rate,  every  effort  is  made  to  prevent  them. 
The  committee,  however,  found  that  the  employers  in  the  painting 
trade  as  a  whole  possessed  but  little  knowledge  of  lead  poisoning 
among  their  workmen;  little  notice  appears,  as  a  rule,  to  be  taken  of 
their  absence  on  account  of  ill  health,  and  no  evidence  was  forthcom- 
ing to  prove  that  any  master  house  painter  ever  instituted  even  a 
voluntary  svstem  of  medical  examination.  Without  such  a  system 
it  would  be  impossible  to  realize  how  much  of  a  worker's  absence  was 
due  to  lead  poisoning,  and  several  employers,  when  questioned,  while 
admitting  the  magnitude  of  the  danger,  expressed  considerable  sur- 
prise at  the  extent  to  which,  according  to  the  official  records,  plunib- 
lsm  among  house  painters  existed. 

Imperfect,  however,  as  these  official  records  may  be,  it  is  abund- 
antly evident  that  in  the  house  painting  industry  plumbism  consti- 
tutes a  very  real  evil.  There  can  be  no  doubt  that  it  materially 
affects  the  workman's  expectation  of  life,  and  in  this  respect  the  table 
of  deaths  on  page  113  shows  that  no  improvement  has  as  yet  taken 
place.  In  the  regulated  industries,  on  tne  other  hand,  the  statistics 
published  monthly  in  the  " Labor  Gazette"  of  the  Board  of  Trade  and 
annually  in  the  report  of  the  chief  inspector  of  factories  prove  that 
the  attack  rates  are  steadily  falling.  It  is  clearly  evident  therefore, 
that  the  tendency  to  plumbism  among  painters  ought,  if  possible,  to 
be  controlled;  practically  every  witness,  whose  attention  was  called 
to  the  figures,  admitted  that  the  extent  of  illness  and  death  attribut- 
able to  its  ravages  was  very  deplorable,  and  agreed  that  immediate 
action  ought  to  do  taken  to  reduce  it  to  a  minimum. 

Increased  cost  of  insurance  against  liability  j or  workmen's  compensa- 
tion.— By  the  Workmen's  Compensation  Act  of  1906,  which  came 
into  force  on  July  1,  1907,  provision  was  for  the  first  time  made  for 
compensation  to  be  paid  by  the  employer  to  any  workman  who  could 
obtam  the  requisite  certificates  showing  that  he  was  suffering  from 
load  poisoning.  At  first  the  premiums  charged  by  insurance  com- 
panies for  insurance  against  risk  of  claims  under  tho  workmen's 
compensation  and  employers'  liability  acts  wcro  20s.  ($4.87)  per 
cent,  but  after  three  years'  experience  tho  rate  was  increased  to  30s. 
0)  per  cent. 

Unfortunately  it  is  impossible  to  say  how  much  of  the  increase  is 
due  to  the  new  risk  of  payment  for  plumbism  introduced  by  the  L906 
act  and  how  much  to  the  general  increase  in  accident  risks;  but  it 
stands  to  reason  that  the  first-named  risk  must  have  had  its  share  in 
causing  the  premiums  to  be  raised. 


122  BULLETIN    OF    THE    BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

ACTION  TAKEN  BY  FOREIGN  GOVERNMENTS. 

Sir  Henry  Cunynghame,  K.  C.  B.,  who  at  the  time  of  giving  evi- 
dence was  legal  assistant  undersecretary  of  state  for  the  Home  De- 
partment, outlined  for  the  committee  the  various  laws  and  decrees 
affecting  house  painters  in  foreign  countries,  and  translations  of  the 
full  text  of  these  enactments  will  be  found  in  the  appendices  to  this 
report.  Further  details  were  moreover  furnished  to  the  committee 
by  Dr.  Legge  and  by  the  various  foreign  witnesses  whose  evidence 
was  submitted  by  the  white  lead  corroders'  section  of  the  London 
Chamber  of  Commerce. 

FRANCE. 

After  a  lengthy  inquiry  and  careful  reports  both  to  the  Chamber  of 
Deputies  and  to  the  Senate,  a  law  was  passed  on  July  20,  1909,  pro- 
prohibiting  the  use  of  white  lead  in  all  painting  operations  on  build- 
ings whether  on  the  exterior  or  interior.  An  interval  of  five  years 
was  prescribed  before  the  coming  into  force  of  this  law,  which  will 
take  effect  as  from  the  1st  of  January,  1915. 

AUSTRIA. 

By  a  ministerial  order  of  the  15th  of  April,  1908,  regulations  were 
issued  to  control  the  use  of  white  lead  paints,  which  was  prohibited 
in  respect  of  interior  painting  as  from  the  1st  of  April,  1909.  For 
exterior  painting,  however,  it  was  still  permitted,  subject  to  drastic 
precautionary  conditions,  as  well  as  for  certain  specific  purposes,  for 
example: 

(i)  for  the  laying  on  of  a  first  or  priming  coat  over  old  lead 

paint  when  pure  white  paint  is  being  renewed; 
(ii)  for  paint  which  is  frequently  exposed  to  the  influence  of 

aqueous  or  other  vapors; 
(iii)  for  internal  painting  in  the  case  of  work  which  would 
otherwise  not  be  carried  out  in  Austria. 
The  conditions  in  question  under  which  the  use  of  white  lead  paint 
is  permissible  include — 

(i)  provisions  for  the  ventilation  and  cleanliness  of  work 

places; 
(ii)   the  prohibition  of  dry  rubbing  down  and  pumice  stoning; 
(iii)   the  equipment  of  washing  and  dressing  rooms; 
(iv)  the  marking  of  vessels  containing  lead  paint; 
(v)   the  prohibition   of  employment  of  women   and  young 

persons; 
(vi)   the  wearing  of  overalls  and  head  coverings,  which  must 
be  supplied  by  the  employer  wherever  more  than  20 
workers  are  employed; 
(vii)  quarterly  medical  examination  of  painters  where  more 
than  20  are  employed. 

GERMANY. 

Regulations  applying  to  all  States  in  the  German  Empire  were 
issued  on  the  27th  of  June,  1905,  and  provide  for  the  prohibition  of 
dry  rubbing  down  and  pumice  stoning;  the  wearing  of  overalls;  the 
provision  of  washing  facilities.  These  regulations  have  been  in  force 
since  the  1st  of  January,  1906. 


DANGER  IN"  USE  OF  LEAD  IN"  THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.      123 

BELGIUM. 

The  earliest  decree  concerning  the  use  of  white  lead  in  the  painting 
of  buildings  came  into  force  on  the  15th  of  August,  1906,  and  pro- 
vides for  the  prohibition  of  dry  rubbing  down,  the  provision  of  work- 
ing clothes  and  washing  appliances  and  quarterly  medical  examina- 
tion. Against  these  regulations,  however,  the  master  painters'  fed- 
eration offered  an  emphatic  protest,  and  in  place  of  them  memorial- 
ized their  Government  in  favor  of  prohibiting  the  use  of  lead  alto- 
gether. The  whole  question  was  therefore  again  made  the  subject 
of  inquiry,  but  by  the  law  of  August  20  [1909],  fresh  regulations  were 
enacted  to  which  effect  was  given  by  a  royal  decree  dated  July  25, 
1910.  These  have  been  in  force  since  the  2d  of  September,  1910;  on 
the  one  hand  they  prohibit  the  sale,  transport,  and  use  of  white  lead 
otherwise  than  in  the  form  of  paste  ground  and  mixed  with  oil,  as 
well  as  the  two  processes  of  "dry  scraping"  and  "dry  pumice  ston- 
ing;" on  the  other  they  provide  for  the  wearing  of  overalls,  storage 
of  outdoor  clothing,  the  supply  of  washing  conveniences  and  quar- 
terly medical  exammation  of  workers  at  the  expense  of  the  employers. 

HOLLAND. 

An  exhaustive  investigation  of  the  white  lead  question  was  under- 
taken by  a  commission  of  the  Netherlands  Government,  which  re- 
ported on  the  5th  of  October,  1909,  to  the  effect  that  zinc  white  paints 
can  be  substituted  for  white  lead  paints  with  good  results  where  there 
is  exposure  to  sulphuretted  hydrogen  vapors,  but  not  where  exposed 
to  frequent  recurrent  action  of  vapors  containing  sulphurous  acid; 
that  zinc  white  paints  applied  on  zinc,  Portland  cement,  or  iron  (the 
latter  having  been  primed  with  either  red  oxide  of  lead  or  iron)  are 
able  to  withstand  the  action  of  the  open  air  during  five  years  quite 
as  well  as  white  lead  paints  and  can  entirely  replace  the  latter  except 
where  exposed  to  vapors  of  sulphurous  acid;  that  zinc  white  paints 
applied  on  wood,  iron,  zinc,  Portland  cement,  and  plaster  can  entirely 
replace  white  lead  paints  in  the  interior  of  buildings  except  where 
much  exposed  to  sulphurous  acid  vapors  or  to  great  dampness;  that 
zinc  white  paints  remain  in  good  condition  during  five  years,  and  can 
replace  white  lead  paints  with  good  results  when  applied  on  wood 
exposed  to  the  open  air  except  m  the  presence  of  vapors  containing 
sulphurous  acid,  but  where  accumulations  of  water  remain  for  a  long 
time,  zinc  white  paints  require  renewal  after  three  or  four  years  for 
the  preservation  of  the  wood,  and  to  this  extent  are  inferior  to  white 
lead  paints;  that  zinc  white  paints  such  as  used  bv  the  white  lead 
commission  cover  at  least  as  well  as  ordinary  white  lead  paints  used 
in  Holland,  and  the  zinc  white  putty  used  by  the  commission  is  quite 
as  serviceable  as  ordinary  white  lead  putty;  that  painting  with  zinc 
white  paint,  such  as  that  used  by  tho  commission  on  new  woodwork 
in  the  open  air,  is  not  dearer  than  painting  with  ordinary  white  lead 
paints;  out  that  repainting  of  exisl  ing  paintwork  in  the  open  air  with 
zinc  white  paints  as  used  by  the  white  lead  commission  is  dearer  than 
repainting  with  white  lead  paints;  that  lithopone  paints  are  unfit  for 
use  in  the  open  air;  that  for  ironwork  above  water  priming  coats  of 
oxide  of  iron  are  quite  as  good  as  priming  coals  of  red  oxide  of  lead, 
but  oxide  of  iron  can  not  be  used  for  coats  of  paint  under  water;  that 
while  oxide  of  iron  is  cheaper  than  red  oxide  of  lead,  more  technical 


124  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR    STATISTICS. 

ability  is  required  for  applying  subsequent  coats  over  oxide  of  iron 
priming  than  over  lead  priming.  No  law  has  so  far  been  passed  by 
the  Netherlands  Government  to  give  effect  to  the  findings  of  this 
commission. 

SWITZERLAND. 

As  a  result  of  successive  investigations,  a  law  was  passed  on  October 
26,  1907,  prohibiting  the  use  of  white  lead  otherwise  than  in  the  form 
of  paste,  and  prohibiting  the  processes  of  dry  pumice  stoning,  dry 
scraping  off  and  burning  off  of  old  paint.  This  law  was  amplified 
by  regulations  issued  on  December  21,  1907,  which  provide  in  addi- 
tion that  the  same  workmen  should  not  bo  set  to  pumice  stone  freshly 
painted  surfaces  for  more  than  half  of  each  working-day,  and  that 
apprentices  should  never  be  employed  on  this  kind  of  work.  The  em- 
ployers are  also  required  to  provide  for  their  workmen  without  charge, 
apparatus  and  utensils  necessary  for  avoiding  direct  handling  of  white 
lead;  overalls,  which  shall  be  properly  kept  and  frequently  washed; 
places  for  storage  of  outdoor  clothing  and  the  necessary  appliances 
for  personal  cleanliness,  such  as  water,  soap  and  towels. 

It  appears,  therefore,  that  several  countries  have  made  very  serious 
efforts  to  grapple  with  the  evil  of  lead  poisoning  among  house  paint- 
ers, and  the  English  witnesses  questioned  by  the  committee  agreed 
practically  without  exception  that  it  is  undesirable  that  this  country 
should  be  behind  other  nations  in  such  a  matter. 

METHODS  OF  DEALING  WITH  LEAD  POISONING. 

The  committee,  accordingly,  proceeded  to  inquire  by  what  methods 
the  effects  of  lead  poisoning  in  the  house  painting  trade  could  best  be 
mitigated.  The  problem,  witnesses  agreed — and  indeed  it  was  self- 
evident — resolved  itself  into  two  following  alternatives ;  either — 

(I.)   the  industry  must  be  controlled  by  a  strict  code  of  regu- 
lations; or  else 
(II.)  the  use  of  lead  must  be  altogether  prohibited,  or  at  any 
rato  restricted  within  very  narrow  limits. 
Of  these  two  alternative  methods  the  latter  is  at  once  simple  and 
effective;  the  former,  therefore,  as  being  essentially  complicated  and 
less  certain  in  its  results,  it  will  bo  convenient  to  discuss  in  detail. 

I.  REGULATIONS. 

SCIENTIFIC  DATA  CONCERNING  THE  CAUSATION  OF  LEAD  POISONING. 

In  connection  with  regulations  intended  to  govern  the  use  of  a 
poisonous  material,  it  is  important  to  consider  the  manner  in  which 
tho  poison  gains  access  to  the  worker's  system. 

Much  of  the  modern  research  work  on  this  subject  is  to  be  found 
in  "Lead  Poisoning  and  Lead  Absorption,"  the  authors  of  which  are 
Dr.  Legge,  H.  M.  medical  inspector  of  factories,  and  Mr.  K.  W.  Goadby 
both  of  whom  gave  evidence  before  the  committee.  The  latter,  more- 
over, carried  out  a  valuable  series  of  experiments  for  tho  depart- 
mental committee  on  the  use  of  lead  in  potteries;  these,  taken  in 
conjunction  with  the  further  investigations  detailed  in  Mr.  Goadby's 


DANGER  IN  USE  OF  LEAD  IN  THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.     125 

evidence  before  this  committee,  and  in  the  appendices,  have  led  to 
the  conclusions  that  lead  may  gain  entrance  to  the  human  system — ■ 
(a)  by  the  respiratory  system  as  a  consequence  of  inhaling 

lead-dust  laden  air; 
(h)  by  the  alimentary  system  as  a  consequence  of  swallowing 
lead  dust  or  lead-contaminated  food. 

The  first  of  these  modes  of  entry  is  by  far  the  most  dangerous  to 
the  worker;  the  risk  entailed  in  the  second  mode  is  small  but  not 
negligible. 

One  or  two  other  modes  of  entry,  e.  g.,  through  the  unbroken  skin, 
possess  points  of  theoretical  interest,  but  the  amount  so  entering  in 
practice  is  so  small  as  to  be  entirely  negligible. 

The  conclusion  to  be  drawn  from  this  is  that  lead-laden  dust  is  by 
far  the  most  serious  evil  to  which  a  lead  worker  is  exposed;  and  with 
this  conclusion  other  scientific  witnesses  questioned  were  in  complete 
agreement. 

The  most  recently  concluded  experiments  of  Mr.  Goadby,  more- 
over, tend  to  emphasize  the  danger  of  long  continued  inhalation  of 
even  very  small  quantities  of  lead-laden  dust;  he  has  demonstrated 
that  an  animal  exposed  for  16  months  to  such  an  atmosphere  during 
eight  hours  each  day,  while  showing  no  symptoms  of  poisoning,  has 
nevertheless  undergone  such  constitutional  deterioration  as  to  suc- 
cumb to  an  inoculated  dose  insufficient  in  amount  to  produce  symp- 
toms in  a  normal  animal. 

NECESSARY  PRECAUTIONS. 

Considering  the  extent  of  the  evil,  it  is  evident  that  any  code  of 
regulations,  to  be  effective,  must  include  all  the  precautions  which 
have  been  found  to  be  necessary  in  the  case  of  other  lead  industries 
for  which  regulations  have  been  provided  under  the  Factory  and 
Workshop  Act.     These  involve — 

(1)  Efficient  measures  for  the  avoidance  or  removal  of  dust 

or  spray  which  is  formed  in  the  course  of  work  and  con- 
tains lead  in  its  composition. 

(2)  The  provision  of  hot  water  for  the  purpose  of  washing, 

and  adequate  washing  accommodation. 

(3)  The  provision  of  mess  rooms. 

(4)  The  provision  of  overalls  and  their  washing  and  main- 

tenance. 

(5)  The  provision  of  cupboards  for  the  storage  of  overalls 

when  not  in  use,  and  of  separate  cupboards  or  cloak- 
rooms at  a  distance  from  any  source  of  lead-laden  dust 
for  the  storage  of  outdoor  clothing  which  is  taken  oil 
during  working  hours. 

(6)  Limitation  of  hours  of  employment. 

(7)  Periodical  medical  examination,  with  power  on  the  part 

of  the  examining  doctor  to  suspend  from  work. 

LEAD-LADEN  DUST  THE  GREAT  DANGER. 

The  principal  evil,  as  stated  above,  to  which  the  artisan  engaged 
in  the  house  painting  and  decorative  trades  is  exposed  is  the  poison 
contained  in  lead-laden  dust  formed  from  the  materials  which  ho 
has  to  use.  This  dust  ho  is  liablo  to  inhale  when  at  work,  both  in 
the  course  of  its  creation,  and  subsequently  after  it  has  accumulated, 


126  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

or  he  may  absorb  the  poison  of  it  into  his  system  by  swallowing  it  at 
mealtimes  with  the  food  he  eats.  The  quantity  of  poison  assimilated 
in  the  latter  manner  is  small;  slight,  however  as  it  is,  it  might  well 
be  sufficient  to  cause  the  breakdown  of  a  constitution  already  under- 
mined by  lead  poison,  and  as  such  it  must  be  taken  into  account. 

For  the  purpose,  therefore,  of  greater  clearness,  it  will  be  best  first 
to  consider  the  various  processes  whereby  fresh  dust  is  generated, 
and  to  review  those  precautions  against  its  ill  effects  which  witnesses 
suggested  might  be  taken  to  protect  the  artisan  while  actually  at 
work;  it  would  then  be  a  simple  matter  to  appreciate  the  various 
ways  in  which  the  dust  is  accumulated,  and  any  additional  safeguards 
which  may  be  necessary. 

PRODUCTION  OF  LEAD-LADEN  DUST,  THE  PROCESS  OF  DRY  RUBBING  DOWN. 

Of  the  various  processes  contributing  to  the  production  of  lead- 
laden  dust  witnesses  unanimously  agreed  that  the  "dry  rubbing 
down"  of  painted  surfaces  was  by  far  the  most  prolific.  Of  this  opera- 
tion, however,  there  are  two  distinct  classes,  which  consequently 
require  to  be  considered  separately,  viz: 

(1)  The  dry  rubbing  down  of  old  paint  work  in  preparation 

for  the  application  of  fresh  coats  of  paint. 

(2)  The  dry  rubbing  down  of  newly  painted  surfaces,  to  pre- 

pare them  for  the  application  of  a  second  coat  of  paint. 

With  regard  to  the  first  of  these  two  classes  it  is  already  the  prac- 
tice of  many  house  painting  and  decorating  firms  to  have  the  rubbing 
down  of  old  paintwork  done  with  pumice  stone  and  water  instead  of 
dry  sandpaper,  and  the  witnesses  practically  all  agreed  that  for  this 
operation  the  use  of  dry  materials  could  be  discontinued. 

The  conditions,  on  the  other  hand,  obtaining  in  the  second  class 
of  dry  rubbing  down  are  entirely  different,  inasmuch  as  in  most  cases 
the  work  has  to  be  done  before  the  first  coat  of  paint  is  sufficiently 
dry  to  admit  of  the  use  of  pumice  stone  and  water.  The  majority  of 
the  witnesses,  therefore,  insisted  that  the  process  must  be  a  dry  one; 
there  were,  however,  a  few  who  held  a  contrary  opinion;  Mr.  Sib- 
thorpe,  for  example,  a  prominent  master  house  painter  of  Dublin, 
emphatically  stated  that  all  dry  rubbing  down  could  be  dispensed 
with,  and  ought  to  be  prohibited;  with  this  view,  moreover,  seven 
other  employers  were  in  substantial  agreement,  although  two  of  them 
modified  their  admission  by  adding  that  they  would  prefer  not  to  give 
up  the  process  for  fear  the  quality  of  the  painting  might  suffer. 

Again,  it  was  suggested  by  a  few  of  the  employers  that  the  proec-s 
of  rubbing  down  could  be  made  sufficiently  wet  to  prevent  the  escape 
of  dust  by  moistening  the  sandpaper  with  some  fluid  other  than  water, 
for  example,  with  turpentine,  but  Mr.  Parsonage,  a  member  of  the 
committee,  who  represented  the  National  Amalgamated  Society  of 
Operative  House  and  Ship  Painters  and  Decorators,  contended,  as 
did  other  operative  painters,  that  such  a  proposal  could  not  bo  carried 
out,  and  no  evidence  was  forthcoming  to  show  that,  even  if  it  could 
have  been,  its  observance  could  be  strictly  enforced. 

The  point  was  also  taken  that  the  risk  attendant  on  dry  rubbing 
down  was  greatly  exaggerated.  In  this  respect  five  of  the  witnesses 
argued  the  possibility  of  considerably  reducing  the  extent  to  which 
it  was  employed,  while  some  maintained  that  the  sandpapering  re- 


DANGER  IN"  USE   OF  LEAD  IN  THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.     127 

quired  between  coats  was  too  slight  to  give  rise  to  an  appreciable 
amount  of  dust. 

The  committee,  however,  are  satisfied  both  as  to  the  importance 
of  the  process  to  the  trade  and  the  dangerous  degree  to  which  it  pro- 
duces dust.  On  the  first  point,  21  employers  and  4  out  of  6  operative 
painters  freely  admitted  the  impracticability  of  discontinuing  it,  and 
m  the  second,  many  of  the  workmen  who  were  examined,  including 
Mr.  Parsonage,  assured  the  committee  that  the  amount  of  dust  created 
was  very  considerable;  one  witness  even  went  so  far  as  to  assert  that 
it  was  sufficient  to  show  the  tracks  of  a  man  as  he  moved  about. 

QUANTITY  OF  LEAD-LADEN  DUST  PRODUCED  BY  DRY  SANDPAPERING. 

The  amount  of  lead-laden  dust  floating  in  the  atmosphere  of  a 
room  in  which,  in  connection  with  house  painting,  the  process  of  sand- 
papering is  in  operation,  can  only  be  measured  by  means  of  special 
testing  apparatus,  the  introduction  of  which  into  private  premises 
has  so  far  been  prevented  by  insuperable  difficulties.  The  amount 
therefore  in  question  has,  as  yet,  never  been  directly  determined; 
but,  in  certain  coach-painting  shops,  a  series  of  tests  have  been  car- 
ried out  by  Mr.  G.  Elmhirst  Duckering,  one  of  His  Majesty's  inspec- 
tors of  factories,  whereby  the  quantity  of  dust  generated  in  the  air 
by  rubbing  down  processes  of  a  similar  character  has  been  properly 
ascertained.  In  these  tests  the  air  was  collected  as  near  as  possible 
to  the  breathing  level  of  the  workers  during  the  time  that  the  opera- 
tions under  consideration  were  in  progress,  and,  as  shown  in  Appen- 
dix XIII,  Table  I,1  was  proved  to  contain  lead  in  quantities  more  than 
sufficient  to  render  it  dangerous,2  viz,  in  proportions  varying  accord- 
ing to  the  amount  of  lead  contained  in  the  paint  and  the  extent  of 
the  work  involved,  from  3  to  as  much  as  1,025  milligrammes  per  10 
cubic  meters  of  air.3 

Dr.  Ignaz  Kaup  also  gave  evidence  as  to  the  comparative  quanti- 
t  ios  of  lead  in  dust  determined  in  Austria  as  present  in  the  air  ot  rooms 
in  which  painted  surfaces  were  respectively  dry  rubbed  and  dry 
pumice  stoned;  these  quantities  he  quoted  at  figures  varying  from 
1  to  25  milligrammes  of  lead  per  1,000  liters  of  air;  the  equivalent, 
that  is,  of  10  to  250  milligrammes  of  lead  per  10  cubic  meters  of  air. 

PRACTICAL  SAFEGUARDS  RECOMMENDED  BY  WITNESSES. 

In  view  of  this  evidence  the  committee  came  to  the  conclusion  that 
the  air  of  rooms  in  which  paint  surfaces  arc  dry  rubbed  is  sufficiently 
impregnated  with  load  to  constitute  a  definite  danger:  they  therefore 
inquired  whether  the  dangerous  dust  could  be  removed  al  1  lie  moment 
of  its  production,  but  it  was  found  impossible  to  suggest  any  practi- 
cal method  of  so  doing.  Two  witnesses,  indeed,  were  of  opinion  that 
exhaust  fans  could  be  successfully  applied,  and  no  doubt  in  certain 
operations  in  other  trades  they  Inive  been  found  to  be  a  most  effective 
means  of  disposing  of  vitiated  dust.     For  example,  the  operation  in 

1  In  Minutes  of  Evidence,  presorted  in  a  separate  volume  of  the  original  report. 

1  Let-  by  to  their  work  on  "Load  Poisoning  and  I  "  We 

believe  thai  if  the  amount  oi  lead  present  in  the  air  breathed  contains  less  than  5  miHigrammi  ■  i»-r  10  cubic 
meters  of  air,  eases  of  encephalopathy  and  paralysis  would  never,  and  cases  <f  colie 
*   *   *    Somewhere  about  2  milligrammes   *    *    *   of!  rd  as  the  lowest  daily  dose  which,  in- 

baled  as  fume  or  dust  in  the  air,  may,  in  (he  course  of  years,  set  up  chronic  plumbism." 

I A  fuller  discussion  of  these  figures  wfll  be  found  in  the  report  of  the  depan  miitteeon  the  use 

of  lead  compounds  in  the  painting  of  coaches,  etc. 


128  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR    STATISTICS. 

the  pottery  trade  known  as  ware  cleaning,  in  which  the  worker  rubs 
off  superfluous  particles  of  dried  glaze  from  an  article  which  has  been 
dipped  in  a  glaze  containing  lead;  there  the  ware  cleaner  when  at 
work  remains  constantly  in  one  place  with  his  materials  in  front  of 
him,  and  the  exhaust  fan  can  be  so  adjusted  as  to  suck  away  safely 
any  dust  which  the  process  produces  before  he  can  either  inhale  or 
swallow  any  of  it.  But  no  such  device  could  be  made  applicable  to 
the  work  of  a  house  painter.  Its  adoption  is  obvidusly,  in  the  first 
place,  only  feasible  where  supplies  of  electricity  are  available,  and  in 
the  second  it  is  impossible  to  conceive  any  means  of  adjusting  it  so 
as  adequately  to  protect  a  workman  engaged  in  dry  rubbing  down  a 
wall. 

The  only  other  safeguard  proposed  was  that  of  respirators,  and 
several  employers  were  of  opinion  that  the  workmen  might  with  advan- 
tage be  compelled  to  wear  them.  It  was,  however,  found  to  be  impos- 
sible to  recommend  any  form  of  efficient  respirator  which  could  possi- 
bly be  worn  for  any  length  of  time. 

FINE  SPRAY. 

Fine  spray  is  produced  by  the  process  known  as  "stippling,"  that 
is  to  say,  beating  a  fresh  coat  of  paint  with  a  hard  flat  brush  in  order 
to  spread  it  out  evenly  over  the  required  surface.  The  actual  risk 
entailed  by  a  single  operation  of  this  kind  is  very  small,  but  such  as 
it  is,  it  constitutes  an  additional  danger. 

The  process  of  "stippling"  is  sometimes  carried  out  by  the  work- 
man who  actually  lays  on  the  coat  of  paint,  but  more  often  by  another 
workman,  and  in  the  latter  case  both  are  exposed  to  the  risk  of  inhal- 
ing the  spray  from  the  stippling  tool.  Some  spray  and  splashing  of 
paint  is  inevitable  in  painting  molded  or  relief  designs,  particularly 
in  connection  with  ceiling  ancl  other  interior  work,  but  for  these  lead 
paints  have  already  been  largely  displaced  by  leadless  paints  or  dis- 
tempers. 

FUMES. 

From  all  fresh  paint  fumes  are  constantly  being  given  off,  and  have 
in  the  past  been  held  by  eminent  experts  to  contain  the  elements  of 
lead  poisoning.  The  committee  have  therefore  given  the  matter 
careful  consideration,  but,  guided  by  results  of  experiments  carried 
out  by  Dr.  Dobbie,  the  principal  chemist  of  the  Government  labora- 
tory, and  the  statements  of  other  distinguished  scientists,  viz,  Mr. 
K/W.  Goadby,  Prof.  H.  E.  Armstrong,  and  Mr.  C.  A.  Klein,  as  well 
as  Prof.  E.  C.  C.  Baly  in  his  later  evidence,  they  have  formed  the 
opinion  that  fumes  may  be  justifiably  disregarded  as  in  any  way  a 
source  of  lead  poisoning.  The  vapors  or  gaseous  emanations  from 
drying  paint  surfaces  are  undoubtedly  of  a  nauseous  odor  and  in  cer- 
tain circumstances  the  reverse  of  wholesome,  but  the  researches  of  the 
experts  named  above  have  established  the  fact  that  they  contain  no 
lead.  It  is  true  that  by  passing  a  current  of  air  over  freshly  painted 
surfaces  for  a  very  long  time  Dr.  Dobbie  was  able  to  collect  traces  of 
lead  arising  from  the  paint  in  the  form  of  minute  solid  particles,  but 
the  amount  so  collected  was  infinitesimal,  and  consequently,  as  a 
poison,  a  negligible  quantity. 


DANGER  IX   USE   OF   LEAD  IX   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDIXGS.      129 

ACCUMULATION  OF  LEAD-LADEN  DUST  AND  THE  NECESSARY  PRECAUTIONS 

AGAINST   IT. 

Such  being  the  origin  of  the  lead-laden  dust,  and  the  practical 
impossibility  of  devising  any  effective  means  of  protecting  workmen 
from  it  in  the  course  of  its  formation,  it  now  remains  to  consider 
the  question  of  its  accumulation,  and  to  ascertain  what  precautions 
are  now  being  taken  against  it,  and  what,  in  addition,  ought  to  be 
insisted  upon  in  future. 

In  this  respect  it  would  appear  that,  since  it  is  impossible  to 
remove  the  dust  which  the  workmen  make  while  at  work,  it  must 
accumulate  during  the  whole  of  that  period,  and  the  air  ii  the  room 
continue-  for  some  time  afterwards  to  be  vitiated.  In  such  an 
atmosphere,  it  is  naturally  dangerous  for  a  workman  to  eat  his 
dinner,  and  for  this  purpose,  therefore,  it  is  of  the  utmost  importance 
that  he  should  be  able  to  go  into  another  room;  but  this  is  not 
sufficient:  he  must  also  be  prevented  from  carrying  the  dust  away 
with  him,  and,  as  it  is  inevitable  that  his  hands  oecome  smeared 
with  paint  and  his  clothes  become  splashed  with  it,  he  must  be 
provided  both  with  suitable  washing  accommodation  and  with 
overalls  with  which  while  at  work  his  clothes  may  be  covered  up. 

WASHING  ACCOMMODATION. 

All  the  witnesses  who  were  questioned  on  the  subject  agreed  as 
to  the  great  importance  of  providing  means  for  maintaining  personal 
cleanliness,  and  especially  for  the  removal  of  any  paint  containing 
I-  d  from  the  hands,  so  as  to  prevent  the  danger  of  food  being 
infected  with  the  poison  when  conveyed  by  the  hand  to  the  mouth. 
For  this  purpose  hot  water  is  most  necessary,  and  while  several 
employers  stated  that  the  workmen- could,  and  on  occasion  did, 
heat  water  for  their  own  use,  it  was  generally  recognized  that  it 
would  be  very  difficult  to  supply  it  to  all  painters  wherever  they 
are  engaged. 

MESS  ROOMS. 

The  importance  of  providing  proper  mess  rooms  requires  no 
comment,  inasmuch  as  without  them  the  workmen  have  to  eat 
their  meals  in  dangerous  surroundings.  For  those,  however,  cm-1 
ployed  on  the  smaller  decorating  jobs  satisfactory  arrangements  in 
this  respect  are  very  rarely  made,  and  the  evidence  shows  that  in 
most  cases  it  would  be  almost  impossible  to  provide  suitable  accom- 
modation. 

OVERALLS. 

At  the  present  moment  overalls  are,  as  a  general  rule,  worn  by 
house  painters  when  at  work,  or  at  all  events  by  the  most  skillful 
of  them,  and  it  is  usually  the  practice — although  not  one  universally 
observed — to  wash  overalls  or  renew  them  once  a  week. 

The  latter  is  an  eminently  necessary  precaution.  In  order  to 
ascertain  the  amount  of  dust  carried  by  overalls  after  use,  the  com- 
mittee caused  several  representative  specimens  of  them  to  be  critically 
examined;  these  were  collected  at  a  series  of  surprise  visits  paid 
to  premises  where  painting  operations  were  in  progress,  and  for  the 
purpose    different    classes    of    buildings    were    selected,    ranging    ii  1 

■S.Xlo"— Bull.  188— 1G 9 


130  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUEEAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

quality  from  a  west  end  private  residence  of  the  highest  order  to 
the  buildings  of  a  suburban  railway  station.  The  overalls  were  in 
each  instance  secured  on  a  Saturday  morning  in  order  that  the 
dust  which  they  might  be  found  to  hold  might  fairly  represent  the 
degree  of  contamination  resulting  from  a  full  week's  work;  and 
finally  each  overall  was  examined  at  the  Government  laboratory 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  determine — 

(1)  The  amount  of  lead  in  the  dust  removed  by  beating. 

(2)  The  amount  of  lead  in  the  fine  dust  secreted  in  pockets. 

(3)  Any  remaining  lead. 

The  full  result  of  these  tests  will  be  found  in  Appendix  XXXII,1 
from  which  it  will  be  seen  that  the  average  amount  of  lead  contained 
in  the  dust  collected  from  one  man's  overalls  after  one  week's  use 
amounted  to  no  less  than  92.7  milligrammes.  To  realize  the  full 
extent  of  the  danger  which  such  a  quantity  entails  these  figures 
should  be  compared  with  those  given  above  on  page  127,  showing 
the  amounts  of  lead-laden  dust,  varying  from  3  to  1,025  milli- 
grammes per  10  cubic  feet  of  air  in  rooms  in  which  the  most  dangerous 
painting  processes  were  being  carried  on,  and  the  generally  smaller 
amounts — varying  from  1  to  124  milligrammes  per  10  cubic  feet 
of  air — which  have  been  found  in  the  atmosphere  in  various  other 
industries  in  which  lead  poisoning  has  been  prevalent  to  a  serious 
extent. 2 

The  necessity  of  overalls  is,  therefore,  beyond  question,  but 
according  to  the  custom  of  the  trade,  each  workman  has  to  buy  his 
overalls  for  himself;  the  attention  of  the  employers'  representatives 
was  accordingly  called  to  the  acceptance  by  employers  in  other  lead 
industries — for  example,  white-lead  making  and  the  manufacture  of 
electric  accumulators  and  pottery — of  the  duty  of  providing  work- 
men, free  of  charge,  with  the  working  clothes  required  for  use  in  all 
processes  involving  contact  with  lead  compounds.  The  evidence, 
however,  of  the  employers  of  house  painters  revealed  a  strong  dis- 
inclination to  adopt  any  such  course;  only  a  few  were  willing  to 
undertake  to  supply  overalls  and  to  provide  for  their  washing  and 
renewal  at  the  firm's  expense;  the  great  majority  maintained  that' 
any  such  obligation  would  impose  too  severe  a  burden  upon  them. 

STORAGE  OF  OVERALLS  AND  OUTDOOR  CLOTHING. 

Overalls  when  not  in  use,  and  outdoor  clothing  when  taken  off 
by  the  men  before  setting  to  work,  if  left  about  on  premises  in  which 
the  air  is  vitiated,  must  inevitably  accumulate  dust,  and  their  proper 
storage  is  proportionately  desirable.  As,  moreover,  the  overalls, 
after  being  once  used,  contain  dust,  they  ought  to  be  kept  apart 
from  the  outdoor  clothing,  and  separate  cupboards,  respectively, 
provided  for  them.  In  either  case,  however,  suitable  accommodation 
is  seldom  available,  and  its  provision  would  frequently  be  a  matter 
of  the  greatest  difficulty. 

LIMITATION  OP  WORKING  HOURS. 

In  other  industries  in  which  lead  is  used  the  necessity  of  shorter 
hours  has  been  definitely  established,  and  their  adoption  agreed  to 
by  the  employers.  The  evidence,  none  the  less,  showed  that  in  the 
house  painting  trade,  owing  to  its  peculiar  character,  no  such  regula- 

i  In  Minutes  of  Evidence,  presented  in  a  separate  volume  of  the  original  report. 
2  See  also  Appendix  XIII. 


DANGER  IN  USE   OF  LEAD  IN  THE  PAINTING  OF  BUILDINGS.      131 

tion  would  be  generally  acceptable.  The  business  is  to  a  great 
extent  a  "seasonal"  one,  and  therefore  during  that  part  of  the 
year  when  most  repainting  is  done  comparatively  long  hours  of 
employment  are  often  demanded. 

PERIODICAL  MEDICAL  EXAMINATION. 

The  special  rules  and  regulations  made  under  the  factory  and 
workshop  acts  also  lay  it  down  as  a  cardinal  principle  that  workers 
in  lead  compounds *  must  periodically  be  medically  examined. 
Incidentally  the  examining  medical  officer  has  the  power  on  the  first 
appearance  of  any  symptom  of  lead  poisoning  to  suspend  any 
worker  from  a  particular  employment. 

On  the  question  of  providing  periodical  medical  examination  in 
the  house  painting  and  decorating  trades,  35  witnesses  gave  evidence; 
of  these,  14  employers  and  6  workmen  were  prepared  to  agree  to 
the  adoption  of  the  proposal;  of  the  remainder,  5  employers  objected 
to  any  such  examination  being  undertaken  at  the  expense  of  the 
employer;  6  employers  and  2  workmen  were  altogether  opposed 
to  it;  and  2  employers  failed  to  give  a  definite  opinion. 

It  should  also  be  noted2  that  since  1910  a  regulation  has  been  in 
force  in  Belgium  requiring  painters  to  be  medically  examined  every 
quarter,  and  Mr.  Kieker-Devroede,  the  president  of  the  Belgian 
corporation  of  painters,  when  giving  evidence  before  the  committee, 
put  in  a  letter, 3  signed  by  himself  and  the  secretary  of  the  corporation, 
m  which  reference  is  made  to  the  regulation  hi  question  in  the  follow- 
ing striking  terms : 

(translation.) 

Of  all  these  regulations,  the  most  iniquitous  is  the  medical  inspection  imposed  on  the 
operative  painter;  this  provision,  which  is  vexatious  and  humiliating,  is  without  any 
effect.  The  corporation  of  painters  would  prefer  the  total  suppression  of  white  lead  in 
their  work. 

COMPENSATION  FOR  WORKMEN  SUSPENDED  FROM  WORK. 

With  regard  to  the  question  of  compensation,  the  workmen's  com- 
pensation act  provides  lor  half  wages  to  be  paid  to  all  workers  actually 
certified  as  suffering  from  lead  poisoning;  but  the  attention  of  wit- 
nesses was  further  called  to  the  recommendations  of  the  departmental 
committee  on  the  use  of  lead,  etc.,  in  potteries,  in  which  it  is  laid  down 
that  for  a  period  not  exceeding  three  months  any  workers  suspended 
from  employment  on  account  of  symptoms  indicating  a  tendency  to 
incipient  lead  poisoning  should  be  entitled  to  a  weekly  allowance. 
This  recommendation  is  generally  observed  in  the  pottery  trade,  and 
in  reply  to  the  inquiry  whether  a  regulation  on  similar  lines  could  with 
(advantage  be  applied  to  the  house  painting  and  decorating  trades, 
definite  opinions  were  obtained  from  20  employers.  Of  these,  although 
one  or  two  of  them  foresaw  the  possibility  of  difficulties  arising,  13 
were  agreeable  to  its  adoption;  one,  on  the  other  hand,  while  admit- 
ting the  principle  of  compensation,  suggested  that  it  should  only  he 
payable  in  a  lump  sum,  and  tin1  remaining  six  definitely  opposed  the 
payment  of  any  compensation. 

•  Except  in  tho  process  or  file  cutting  by  hand,  the  regulations  for  which  do  not  require  mi 
Inations. 
2  See  evidence  of  Sir  H.  Cunyngfaame  and  Mr.  Ricker-Devroede. 

8  See  Appendix  XVI J I  [Minutes  of  Evidence]. 


132  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR    STATISTICS. 

IMPRACTICABILITY  OF  AN  ADEQUATE  CODE  OF  REGULATIONS. 

It  has  already  been  seen  that  it  is  impossible  to  devise  any  ade- 
quate measures  for  the  protection  of  workmen  from  lead-laden  dust 
at  the  moment  of  its  creation,  and  consequently  the  particular  risk 
thereby  entailed  can  only  be  prevented  by  the  prohibition  of  the  use 
of  lead.  But  the  other  precautions  which  have  been  discussed  present 
a  more  open  question;  before,  therefore,  coming  to  any  conclusion 
with  regard  to  them,  it  is  desirable  to  review  the  evidence  of  the  prin- 
cipal witnesses  who  were  in  favor  of  their  adoption. 

EVIDENCE  OF  WITNESSES  IN  FAVOR  OF  A  CODE  OF  REGULATIONS. 

(a)  The  representatives  of  the  paint,  oil,  and  varnish  trades  asso- 
ciations admitted  the  need  of  taking  action  for  the  protection  of  house 
painters  and  decorators;  but,  in  view  of  experiments  in  which  zinc, 
when  compared  with  lead,  had  been  found  to  bo  inferior  for  exterior 
paintwork,  they  considered  that  rather  than  lead  should  be  prohibited 
it  would  be  preferable  to  adopt  regulations.  Their  associations 
embraced  in  their  membership  many  of  the  leading  firms  of  paint 
grinders,  and  in  support  of  their  recommendation  they  drew  attention 
to  the  beneficial  results  obtained  by  regulations  in  the  white  lead 
making  and  paint  grinding  industries. 

They  regarded  periodical  medical  examination  at  the  expense  of 
employers  as  imperative,  and  for  the  enforcement  of  this  and  all  other 
regulations,  were  of  opinion  that  50  inspectors  would  suffice.  They 
did  not,  however,  deal  in  any  detail  with  the  manifest  difficulties 
which  such  enforcement,  to  be  successful,  would  inevitably  involve. 

(h)  Mr.  Sibthorpe  was  also  in  favor  of  a  code  of  regulations,  and 
dealt  carefully  with  the  question  of  inspection.  Mr.  Sibthorpe  is,  as 
already  mentioned,  a  master  house  painter  of  Dublin,  employing 
some  50  workmen,  and  was  put  forward  as  a  witness  by  the  white 
lead  corroders'  section  of  the  London  Chamber  of  Commerce;  he 
advocated  a  system  whereby,  on  the  one  hand,  each  master  painter 
should  be  obliged  to  take  out  a  license  binding  him  to  observe  all  regu- 
lations in  force  or  to  come  into  forco  in  connection  with  the  use  of  lead 
paints,  and,  on  the  other,  each  operative  painter  should  also  have  to 
take  out  a  license  requiring  him  to  keep  a  card,  to  be  produced  when 
asked  for,  recording  the  places  of  his  employment  and  particulars  of 
any  attacks  of  lead  poisoning  from  which  he  may  have  suffered.  Mr. 
Sibthorpe  further  recommended  the  prohibition  of  dry  pumice  stoning 
or  sandpapering  of  old  paint  or  surfaces  that  have  been  burnt  off;  the 
provision  of  overalls  by  the  workmen;  the  provision  of  facilities  for 
washing,  including  nailbrushes,  towels,  and  hot  water;  the  latter,  in 
the  case  of  occupied  houses,  to  be  demanded  as  a  right  from  the  occu- 
pier; the  provision,  equally  to  bo  demanded  from  the  occupier  as  a 
right,  of  a  mess  room  and  a  storage  room  for  outdoor  clothing  separate 
from  any  place  where  the  paint  is  mixed  or  kept;  and  finally,  medical 
examination  of  all  licensed  workmen  at  least  three  times  a  year,  with 
suspension  from  employment  on  account  of  recurring  attacks  of  lead 

f>oisoning,  and  cither  the  restriction  of  workmen  so  suspended  to  non- 
ead  employment,  or  an  allowance  to  them  of  reasonable  compensa- 
tion.1 

1  It  should  be  noted,  as  previously  stated  on  p.  121,  that  workers  actually  suffering  from  lead  poisoning 
are  already  entitled  by  law  to  compensation. 


DANGEB  IN  USE   OF   LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.      133 

Mr.  Sibthorpe  believed  that  such  regulations  could  be  efficiently- 
enforced  by  the  employment  of  special  inspectors,  including  possibly 
ex-painters  who  have  had  to  leave  the  trade  owing  to  their  suscepti- 
bility to  lead  poisoning.  He  calculated  that  four  such  inspectors  at  a 
salary  of  £2  ($9.73)  rising  to  £3  (814.60)  a  week,  would  suffice  for  the 
city  of  Dublin,  which  has  a  population  of  just  over  400,000.  For  the 
whole  of  the  United  Kingdom,  at  the  same  proportionate  rate  about 
450  special  inspectors  would  be  required,  a  number  more  than  double 
that  of  the  present  staff  of  the  whole  factory  department,  which  at  a 
cost  of  £100,000  (8486,650)  embraces  all  the  workshops  and  factories  in 
the  United  Kingdom;  so  large  a  department,  therefore,  appears  to  be 
unjustifiable,  and  in  addition,  although  the  class  of  special  inspectors 
proposed  is  a  very  poor  one,  it  is  not  likely  that  it  could  be  equipped 
and  maintained  for  the  same  sum ;  but  even  if  this  extremely  economic 
estimate  were  correct,  and  if,  as  suggested  by  the  witness,  a  substantial 
portion  of  the  cost  could  be  recovered  by  charging  registrars'  fees  for 
the  licenses  which  he  advocated,  the  creation  of  450  new  officials  at  so 
great  an  annual  cost  to  the  country  as  £100,000  (8486,650)  would  be 
an  extravagance  which  the  committee  could  not  possibly  recommend. 

(c)  Mr.  E.  M.  Johnson,  a  leading  white  lead  manufacturer,  wdio  also 
urged  the  adoption  of  regulations,  suggested  that  the  supervision  of 
painting  operations  might  be  intrusted  to  the  sanitary  inspectors  and 
surveyors,  or  to  other  local  authorites;  the  committee,  however,  do 
not  think  it  desirable  to  rely  for  such  assistance  on  any  of  these  officials 
and  indeed  their  time  is  already  so  fully  occupied  that  it  would  eventu- 
ally result  in  the  necessity  of  appointing  a  large  additional  number. 
As  a  third  alternative,  Mr.  Johnson  proposed  that  this  work  of  inspec- 
tion should  be  imposed  on  the  insurance  act  inspectors,  and  contended 
that  40  additional  inspectors  would  be  ample  for  the  purpose.  Such 
a  suggestion  the  committee  do  not  regard  as  warrantable,  and  believe 
that  the  vast  amount  of  technical  supervision  entailed  would  necessi- 
tate a  very  much  greater  increase  in  their  staff. 

(d)  Mr.  J.  C.  Vaughan,  one  of  the  representatives  of  the  National 
Association  of  Master  House  Painters  and  Decorators,  suggested  t  hat 
regulations  might  be  enforced  by  the  local  policeman  or  the  sanitary 
inspector  or  the  inland  revenue  officer,  or  alternatively  by  the  appoint- 
ment of  subinspectors  for  this  special  purpose.  Several  of  the  other 
advocates  of  regulations,  in  preference  to  prohibition,  thought  that 
the  difficulty  of  inspection  might  be  overcome,  but  were  unable  to 
Batisfy  the  committee  in  regard  to  the  means  whereby  this  could  be 
accomplished.  Mr.  Vaughan  and  others  admitted,  moreover,  that 
there  would  be  difficulties  in  ascertaining  where  painting  operations 
were  in  progress,  and  also  that  visits  paid  to  private  houses  for  the 
purpose  of  inspection,  without  which  the  adequate  enforcement  of 
regulations  falls  to  the  ground,  would  be  likely  to  cause  resentment. 

EVIDENCE  OF  FOREIGN   WITNESSES. 

The  case,  therefore,  for  control  by  regulal  ion-,  ;is  shown  by  the  evi- 
dence of  these  four  witnesses,  is  by  no  means  a  strong  one. 

In  addition  it  appears  from  that  of  the  foreign  witnesses  hit roduced 
by  the  white  lead  corroders'  section  of  the  London  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce, that  although  in  Germany,  Austria,  and  Switzerland,  where 
regulations  have  beeu  adopted  for  these  trades,  the  number  of  lead 


134  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU   OF    LABOE   STATISTICS. 

poisoning  cases  has  to  some  extent  been  reduced,  the  progress  made 
in  combating  the  lead  evil  has  been  comparatively  slow;  even  in 
Germany  and  Austria,  where  the  dry  rubbing  down  of  lead  painted 
surfaces  has  been  definitely  prohibited  by  law,  cases  of  lead  poisoning 
have  become  by  no  means  rare,  and  its  incidence  is  still  far  too  high 
to  admit  of  its  acceptance  as  a  degree  of  industrial  risk  which  may  be 
regarded  as  negligible  for  workers  in  this  country. 


DIFFICULTY  OF  ENFORCING  REGULATIONS. 


Furthermore,  all  the  foreign  witnesses  admitted  that  as  a  means  of 
thoroughly  enforcing  the  observance  of  regulations  in  all  painting 
operations,  inspection  was  very  unreliable.  Such  an  admission  will 
be  recognized  as  the  more  important  when  it  is  borne  in  mind  that  in 
Germany  and  Austria  householders  appear  to  have  little  or  no  objec- 
tion to  the  inspection  of  their  private  premises.  In  this  country  it  is 
far  otherwise;  the  difficulty,  therefore,  of  insuring  a  proper  and 
effective  inspection  of  painting  operations  in  private  dwellings  would 
be  greatly  increased,  and  it  would  be  proportionately  injudicious  to 
recommend  the  adoption  of  any  measures  which,  for  their  enforce- 
ment, would  depend  on  it. 

INSUFFICIENCY  OF  REGULATIONS,  EVEN  WHEN  ENFORCED. 

But  apart  from  the  difficulty  of  enforcing  regulations  a  number  of 
witnesses  admitted  that  regulations,  even  if  properly  complied  with, 
were  in  themselves  sufficient  to  provide  but  a  partial  solution  of  the 
lead  poisoning  problem.  This  view  is  strongly  confirmed  by  the 
experience  of  the  admiralty,  who  have  laid  down  a  number  of  regu- 
lations to  be  observed  wherever  lead  paints  are  used.  Thus,  at 
Portsmouth  dockyard,  where  320  painters  are  employed,  ample  lav- 
atory accommodation  is  provided,  including  hot  water;  time  is 
allowed  for  washing;  and,  in  addition  attention  to  personal  cleanli- 
ness is  superintended  by  a  charge  man,  who  does  not  allow  any 
painter  to  leave  until  he  has  washed;  all  painters  are  supplied,  at 
the  expense  of  the  admiralty,  with  overalls,  which  are  washed  fort- 
nightly in  a  steam  laundry  on  the  dockyard  premises;  and  a  system 
of  periodical  medical  examinations  is  strictly  enforced.  Despite  all 
these  precautions  and  the  care  taken  to  assure  their  observance,  lead 
poisoning  cases  still  occur,  the  men  attacked  being  transferred  to 
work  not  involving  contact  with  lead. 

RESOLUTION  OF  MASTER  HOUSE  PAINTER'S  ASSOCIATION. 

As  an  early  stage  of  the  inquiry,  viz,  on  September  27,  1911,  the 
following  resolution,  proposed  by  Mr.  Butterworth  and  seconded  by 
Mr.  John  Brown,  was  passed  by  the  National  Association  of  Master 
House  Painters  and  Decorators  at  a  meeting  at  Derby: 

That  this  meeting  of  the  members  of  the  National  Association  of  Master  Painters  <>f 
England  and  Wales,  assembled  at  I  >erby,  regrets  the  severe  sickness  and  mortality  incin 
dence  of  the  use  of  white  lead,  bu1  they  are  of  opinion  that  great  injury  would  be  done 
to  the  painting  trade  and  to  the  larger  interests  of  the  public  by  the  prohibition  of  the 
use  of  while  Lead,  and  in  the  opinion  of  the  meeting  it  is  very  desirable  that  a  trial  be 
first  given  to  effective  regulations. 

A  copy  of  the  resolution,  signed  by  Mr.  T.  N.  Richards,  president 
of  the  association,  was  forwarded  to  the  committee  and  is  accord- 


DANGER  IX  USE  OF  LEAD  IN  THE  PAINTING  OF  BUILDINGS.  135 

ingly  here  reproduced  verbatim.  Obviously,  however,  the  members 
who  voted  on  the  resolution  were  not  in  possession  of  all  the  evidence 
that  was  laid  before  the  committee,  and  their  resolution  therefore 
only  amounts  to  an  expression  of  continued  confidence  in  the  white 
lead  pigments  which  they  have  been  accustomed  to  use  for  genera- 
tions, and  no  indication  is  given  as  to  how  regulations  could  be  made 
effective  and  adequately  enforced. 

CONCLUSIONS  OF  THE  COMMITTEE. 

The  committee  therefore  consider  that  it  is  impossible  to  deal  with 
the  evil  in  question  by  regulations  for  four  principal  reasons : 

(1)  The  inadequacy  of  regulations  to  cope  with  the  evil. 

(2)  The  difficulty  of  prohibiting  dry  rubbing  down. 

(3)  The  cost  and  difficulty  of  complying  with  various  precau- 

tionary measures. 

(4)  The  insuperable  difficulty  of  enforcing  regulations  by  ade- 

quate insjDection. 

II.  PROHIBITION  OR  RESTRICTION  OF  THE  USE  OF  LEAD. 

But  if  it  is  impossible  either  to  devise  or  enforce  effective  precau- 
tions against  the  risks  attending  the  use  of  lead,  there  is  only  one  way 
of  obviating  them.  If  the  evil  can  not  be  controlled  by  regulations, 
the  cause  of  it  must  be  removed,  and  the  use  of  lead  be  either  totally 
prohibited  or  at  least  greatly  restricted. 

In  order,  however,  to  ascertain  accurately  the  view  taken  by  the 
trade,  the  choice  between  these  two  alternatives,  viz — 

(1)  The  control  of  the  use  of  lead  by  regulations: 

(2)  The  prohibition  or  restriction  of  the  use  of  lead  ; 

was  specifically  submitted  to  36  representative  employers,  of  whom 
10  appeared  as  members  of  builders'  federations,  and  the  remaining 
26  included  representatives  of  the  National  Association  of  Master 
House  Painters  and  Decorators  and  of  the  London  Association  of 
Master  Decorators. 

CHOICE  OF  EMPLOYERS  BETWEEN  REGULATIONS  AND  PROHIBITION. 

The  replies  given  by  the  witnesses  are  summarized  in  the  following 
table,  the  principal  figures  in  each  column  indicating  the  number  of 
iritnesses  interrogated,  and  those  in  brackets  the  approximate  num- 
ber of  painters  employed  by  them. 

CHOICE  OF  36  EMPLOYERS  SPECIFICALLY  QUESTIONED  AS  TO  THEIE    PREFERENCE 
FOB   BEOl   LATION8  AS  AGAINST  PROHIBITION. 


liuil  1 

MODS. 

■  em- 
ploj  1 

Total. 

Prefer  prohibition  . 
Prefer  regul 

l>l)Ul>tflli 

i  9     [4(101 

1    [160] 

0       [400] 

13      [1.IKKI] 
4         [11X1] 

i  is       [800] 

14     [l.l.VI 
4        [lixij 

Total 

l  10    [550] 

26    [1,500] 

'  36    [2,050] 

i  One  of  these  (Mr.  McH  ilso  for  the  Liverpool  Master  Buildei  ember- 

sliip.  numbering  400,  resolved  unanimou  ly  thai  they  "would  rather  vote  for  total  prohibition  of  white  1 1 

than  be  hedged  in  with  any  regulations  or  restricts 


136  BULLETIN   OF   THE   BUREAU   OF   LABOR   STATISTICS. 

From  this  tabic  it  will  be  seen  that  of  the  36  witnesses  questioned, 
14  employing  1,150  painters  declared  in  favor  of  control  by  regula- 
tion, and  18  employing  800  painters  in  favor  of  the  prohibition 
of  the  use  of  lead.  It  is,  however,  clear  from  the  preceding  pages  of 
this  report  that  but  little  serious  thought  has  ever  been  given  by 
employers  to  the  evil  of  lead  poisoning,  and  the  evidence  of  the  36 
master  house  painters  now  under  review  pointed  strongly  to  the 
conclusion  that  no  concerted  action  has  ever  been  taken  to  put  an 
end  to  it.  Even  those  emplo}Ters  who  voted  in  favor  of  regulations 
as  opposed  to  the  prohibition  of  the  use  of  lead  have  only,  in  excep- 
tional cases,  taken  steps  to  insure  the  observance  by  their  own  work- 
men of  necessary  precautions,  and  they  further  admit  that  many  of 
the  precautionary  measures  found  necessary  and  enforced  in  other 
lead  industries  would  be  either  very  difficult  to  carry  out  or  quite 
impracticable  in  connection  with  house  painting  operations. 

Many  of  the  witnesses,  moreover,  pointed  out  that  any  increase  in 
the  cost  of  painting  due  either  to  the  prohibition  of  the  use  of  lead  or 
the  establishment  of  regulations  would  ultimately  fall  to  be  borne  by 
the  customer.  Mr.  J.  W.  Barker,  of  Leicester,  one  of  the  representa- 
tives of  the  National  Association  of  Master  House  Painters  and  Dec- 
orators, in  particular,  when  stating  his  preference  for  prohibition 
added  that  the  cost  of  precautionary  restrictions  would  be  far  greater 
than  the  cost  involved  in  a  change  to  nonlead  paints;  if  the  latter 
course  should  be  adopted,  Mr.  Barker  felt  sure  that  the  national  asso- 
ciation would  not  raise  any  objection  to  carrying  it  into  effect;  this 
statement  is.  important  in  view  of  the  prominent  part  taken  by  the 
witness  in  the  affairs  of  the  association,  of  which  he  is  a  past  president. 

POSSIBILITY  OF  PROHIBITING  THE  USE  OF  LEAD. 

In  these  circumstances  it  is  evident  that  theoretically  the  prohibi- 
tion of  the  use  of  lead  would  be  by  far  the  preferable  policy  to  adopt, 
but  the  question  arises  whether  or  not  its  abolition  can  be  carried 
into  effect  without  causing  undue  detriment  to  the  trade.  At  the 
present  moment  lead  forms  the  principal  ingredient  in  the  composi- 
tion of  oil  paints,  especially  of  those  intended  for  exterior  use,  and, 
in  consequence,  before  coming  to  a  definite  conclusion,  particular- 
attention  must  be  paid  to  the  two  following  important  questions: 

(1)  Is  there  a  reasonable  certainty  that  leadless  paints  would 

be  efficient  for  all  purposes  ? 

(2)  Would  the  supply  of  such  materials  be  sufficient  to  meet 

all  the  requirements  of  the  trade  ? 

EFFICIENCY  OF  LEADLESS  PAINT. 

Taking  the  first  of  these  two  points,  it  should  be  noted  that  no 
member  of  the  various  employers'  associations  could  refer  to  any ' 
systematic  attempt,  made  in  the  past,  to  discover  a  satisfactory 
substitute  for  lead  in  the  manufacture  of  paint.  .This  has  in  all 
probability  been  due  to  the  employers'  lack  of  interest  in  the  question 
of  lead  poison,  but,  whatever  the  cause  may  be,  there  is — as  the 
evidence  sufficiently  proved,  and  as  Mr.  J.  Milton,  one  of  the  repre- 
sentatives of  the  London  Association  of  Master  Decorators  frankly 
admitted — a  real  prejudice  in  the  trade  against  the  use  of  any  ; 
materials  other  than  those  to  which  painters  have  been  for  gener- 
ations accustomed. 


DAjSTGER  IN   USE   OF   LEAD  IX  THE  PAIXTTXG   OF  BUILDINGS.      137 
EVIDENCE  OF  EMPLOYERS. 

It  is  true  that  a  certain  number  of  employers  examined  claimed 
to  have  used  various  leadless  paints  from  time  to  time,  but  such 
experiments  appear  to  have  been  made  in  rather  a  half-hearted 
manner.  Thus,  Mr.  J.  D.  Crace,  a  witness  representing  the  Institute 
of  British  Decorators,  stated  that  he  had  tried  zinc  paints  a  long 
time  ago,  but  had  no  recent  experience  of  them;  Mr.  Honeychurch, 
of  the  London  Association  of  Master  Decorators,  had  made  some 
individual  trials,  from  which  he  found  that  zinc  retained  its  color 
better  than  lead,  while,  on  the  other  hand,  it  was  not  so  durable 
and  at  that  time  more  expensive;  Mr.  Puttrell,  of  the  National 
Association  of  Master  House  Painters,  as  well  as  Mr.  Higgs  and 
Mr.  Walker,  who  represented  builders'  federations,  had  used  leadless 
paints  from  time  to  time,  and  found  them  not  so  satisfactory  for 
wear  or  covering  power,  but  the  inferiority  of  the  zinc  paints  was 
not  great  enough  to  prevent  them  from  advocating  the  abolition  of 
lead  rather  than  regulations;  Col.  J.  R.  Bennett,  of  the  Scottish 
Master  House  Painters'  Association,  had  tried  zinc  paints  15  years 
ago,  and  found  them  unsatisfactory  for  exterior  work;  Mr.  R.  L. 
Anderson,  of  the  same  association,  said  he  had  had  very  little  experi- 
ence with  leadless  paints,  as  he  had  always  been  given  to  understand 
that  white  lead  was  the  best  thing  to  use;  Mr.  Scott,  also  of  the 
same  association,  claimed  that  he  had  made  experiments  on  a  large 
scale  with  substitutes  for  lead,  but  these  were  carried  out  some  20 
years  ago. 

On  the  other  hand,  it  was  generally  admitted  that  for  the  painting 
of  interior  surfaces  it  was  quite  possible  to  dispense  with  lead  paints, 
and  further  the  evidence  of  the  employers  contains  not  a  few  exam- 
ples, indicating  that,  with  only  a  moderate  persistence,  it  is  possible 
to  discover  leadless  paints  which,  even  for  exterior  painting,  are 
quite  satisfactory. 

LEADLESS  PAINTS  SUITABLE  FOR  EXTERIOR  USE. 

Mr.  Morton,  of  the  National  Builders'  Federation,  for  example, 
although  he  preferred  prohibition  to  the  onerous  code  of  regulations, 
said  that  he  nad  not  on  the  whole  found  substitutes  for  white  lead 
to  be  satisfactory,  but  added  that  for  exterior  painting  he  had 
recently  used  zinc  paint,  which  covered  rather  better  than  while 
Jead  and  was  quite  as  good  in  appearance.  Mr.  Milton,  of  the  London 
Association  of  Master  Decorators,  while  admitting  a  preference  for 
lead  rather  than  the  zinc  paints,  considered  that  there  was  no  neces- 
sity to  use  lead  for  exterior  painting,  provided  that  a  more  suitable 
medium  were  substituted  for  the  oil  and  turpentine  mix  line  at 
present  in  use;  in  support  of  this  theory  lie  explained  that  in  the 
course  of  recent  experiments  he  had  used  leadless  while  paint  made 
up  with  boiled  refined  oil  and  a  good  proportion  of  varnish,  and 
found  the  paint  so  composed  to  be  more  durable  than  while  lead 
paint. 

Mr.  McIIugh,  of  the  National  Association  <>]'  Masier  House  Painters 
and  the  Liverpool  Builders'  Association,  while  recognizing  the  wide- 
spread feeling  against  anything  but  white  lead  I'm-  outside  work, 
said  he  had  himself  used  a  good  quality  of  /.inc.  white  well  mixed 
with  varnish  for  exterior  work,  and  found  it  to  be  quite  as  good 
as  white  lead  paint.     This  witness  spoke  as  president  of  the  Liverpool 


138  BULLETIN   OF   THE   BUREAU   OF   LABOR  STATISTICS. 

Master  Builders'  Association,  who  passed  a  unanimous  resolution 
in  favor  of  prohibition  rather  than  regulations,  and  added  that 
the  use  of  zinc  is  finding  increasing  favor  in  Liverpool  and  by  compe- 
tent painters  is  applied  as  easily  as  lead.  The  experience,  too,  of 
Mr.  Cantrill — also  a  member  of  the  National  Association  of  Employ- 
ers— was  very  significant,  as  he  had  used  leadless  paints  for  exterior 
as  well  as  for  interior  work,  and  found  that  the  workmen  handled 
these  paints  in  a  satisfactory  manner  when  they  were  ignorant 
of  the  composition.  All*.  J.  R.  Donald,  who,  as  a  representative  of 
the  Association  of  Master  House  Painters  in  Scotland  gave  verbal 
evidence  unfavorable  to  the  substitution  of  zinc  white  for  white 
lead,  amended  his  evidence  by  a  subsequent  note  in  which  he  stated 
that  recent  practical  results  obtained  with  leadless  paints  had 
convinced  him  that  white  lead  was  no  longer  essential.  Mr.  Bonner, 
a  working  master  house  painter,  stated  that  he  had  used  a  substitute 
for  white  lead  for  outside  work  ever  since  he  started  business,  and 
was  more  than  satisfied  with  the  results,  as  were  also  his  customers. 
He  stated  that  besides  keeping  a  better  color  it  had  proved  at  the 
end  of  five  years  more  durable  than  white  lead;  he  said,  "I  have 
got  some  fronts  done  five  years  ago  which  are  better  than  white 
lead  fronts  done  two  years  ago,"  and  in  another  part  of  his  evidence 
he  expressed  his  confidence  that,  if  the  use  of  lead  were  abolished, 
ways  and  means  could  be  found  of  getting  a  good  white  pigment  from 
other  materials.  Mr.  Styles,  one  of  the  witnesses  representing 
the  London  Master  Builders'  Association,  while  preferring  to  retain 
white  lead,  expressed  his  confidence,  that  if  necessary,  something 
else  would  be  invented  to  replace  it  without  interfering  with  his 
business  at  all.  Mr.  Vigurs  Harris,  of  the  National  Association  of 
Master  House  Painters  and  Decorators,  strongly  advocated  the 
abolition  of  the  use  of  lead  rather  than  regulations;  although  he 
was  not  so  convinced  of  the  efficiency  of  substitutes  for  exterior 
work  as  for  interior,  he  considered  it  quite  justifiable  taking  the 
risk  even  for  outside  work.  Mr.  Harris,  moreover,  had  had  along  experi- 
ence of  zinc  paints,  and  stated  that,  as  all  employers  would  be  placed 
on  the  same  footing,  the  prohibition  of  lead  as  an  ingredient  of 
paint  would  cause  no  injury.  Mr.  John  Anderson,  the  president  of 
the  London  Association  of  Master  Decorators,  also  laid  stress  on 
this  argument;  if  the  use  of  lead  were  abolished  all  employers  would 
be  treated  alike,  and  would  require  no  supervision;  if,  however,  the 
control  of  it  were  left  to  regulations,  he  feared  that  some  employers 
might  in  practice  evade  them,  and  so  gain  an  unfair  advantage 
over  those  who  did  their  best  to  observe  the  law. 

EVIDENCE  OF  FIRMS  EITHER  MANUFACTURING  OR  USING  LEADLESS  PAINTS. 

It  is  thus  evident  that  not  only  are  leadless  paints  suitable  for 
interior  work,  but  it  is  also  possible,  although  not  the  general  practice 
in  this  country,  to  apply  them  with  success  to  exterior  surfaces. 
The  committee  learned,  moreover,  that  leadless  paints  which  are 
claimed  to  be  of  sufficient  durability  for  application  to  exterior 
surfaces,  are  already  obtainable  in  considerable  numbers,  and  there 
is  every  indication  that  legislation  affecting  the  amount  of  lead 
permissible  in  paints  would  give  a  great  impetus  to  the  manufacture 
of  nonpoisonous  substitutes.  In  addition,  therefore,  to  the  evidence 
of  the  employers,  which  has  been  above  considered,  the  committee 


DAXGER  IN  USE   OF  LEAD  IX   THE  FAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.      139 

have  obtained  the  testimony  of  various  leading  manufacturers  and 
users  of  leadless  paint. 

MAKERS  OF  LEADLESS  PAINT  MATERIALS. 

Mr.  Garson,  whose  firm  manufactures  both  zinc  and  lead  paints, 
and  who  would  therefore  be  unaffected  by  an  increased  demand 
for  the  former  as  compared  with  the  latter,"  stated  that  for  interior 
painting  the  durability  of  both  is  about  the  same;  the  price  of  lead 
paints  was,  at  the  time  of  his  giving  evidence,  somewhat  less  than 
that  of  zinc  paints,  but  the  latter  cover  10  per  cent  more  and  retain 
their  color  better.  For  exterior  work  zinc  paints  mixed  in  exactly 
the  same  way  as  lead  paints  would  have  only  about  two-thirds  as 
long  a  life,  but  if  varnish  and,  say,  5  per  cent  of  lead  are  added  to 
the  zinc  paints  the  latter  are  as  durable  as  lead  paints.  This  witness 
believed  that  the  prohibition  of  the  use  of  lead  would  give  an  impetus 
to  manufacturers  to  find  efficient  substitutes,  and  also  that  the 
increased  demand  for  zinc  paints  would  reduce  their  price.  Enamel 
paints  would  not  be  affected,  as  these  are  to-day  made  on  a  base  of 
zinc  oxide  and  not  of  lead. 

Mr.  Rivet  also  represented  a  firm  who  grind  both  lead  and  zinc 
paints,  and  said  that  beyond  some  preliminary  disorganization  the 
prohibition  or  restriction  of  the  use  of  lead  would  not  at  all  affect 
them.  He  agreed  that  practically  all  good  enamels  are  built  up 
from  zinc  oxide,  and  said  that  in  certain  comparative  trials  carried 
out  on  premises  at  Westminster  they  had  come  to  the  conclusion 
that  after  15  months'  exposure  the  white  lead  paint  had  stood  best, 
while  the  next  best  was  pure  zinc,  and  mixtures  of  zinc  and  lead 
were  indifferent.     He  admitted  that  there  were  plenty  of  leadless 

f)aints  suitable  for  work  for  which  while  is  not  required;  satisfactory 
eadless  whites  could  also  be  obtained,  but  at  somewhat  increased 
cost  and  less  durability. 

The  Granitic  Paint  Co.  make  paints  on  a  zinc  oxide  base  which 
are  entirely  free  from  lead.  These  were  originally  compounded 
to  a  formula  suggested  by  the  principal  architect  of  IT.  M.  office  of 
works,  and  have  been  very  largely  used  in  the  painting  of  Govern- 
ment buildings,  for  particulars  of  which  reference  may  be  made 
to  the  evidence  of  officials  of  H.  M.  office  of  works,  summarized 
on  pages  64  to  69. 

The  Ragosine  Paint  Co.  (Ltd.)  manufacture  a  leadless  paint  called 
"Dixon's  White,"  which  is  made  up  in  paste  form  and  can  be  thinned 
down  so  as  to  take  the  place  of  white  lead  for  all  ordinary  painting 
as  well  as  for  priming,  filling,  and  Halting.1 

Mr.  Wait,  chemist  to  R.  Gay  &  Co.  (Ltd.),  who  manufacture  both 
lead  and  zinc  paints,  said  he  considered  zinc  oxide  paint  as  good  as 
white  lead  for  exterior  as  well  as  for  interior  painting;  lie  referred  to 
a  number  of  public  buildings — including  Buckingham  Palace,  home 
office,  admiralty,  war  office,  new  Local  Governmenl  Board  offices, 
savings  bank,  general  post  office,  also  branch  posl  and  sorting  offices 
in  London  and  the  Provinces,  British  Museum,  Science  and  An 
Museum,  National  Gallery,  Victoria  and  Albert  Museum,  and  St. 
Thomas's  Hospital     on  which  (lay's  zinc  paints  had  been  used,  and 

1  For  opinions  of  u  rred  toby  this  and  subsequent  vritneve8,s< 


140  BULLETIN    OF    T-HE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

stated  that  these  had  been  found  as  satisfactory  as  the  lead  paints 
previously  supplied. 

The  Szerelnioy  Co.  have  been  makers  of  nonpoisonous  paints  for 
over  50  years,  and  consider  that  good  covering  power  can  bo  obtained 
without  the  use  of  lead.  The  company  have  received  no  complaints 
on  the  score  of  the  durability  of  their  zinc  oxide  paint,  for  which 
repeated  orders  have  been  received  from  public  corporations,  breweries, 
and  many  others.  Favorable  opinions  were  put  in  from  the  Furness 
Railway  Co.;  the  architect  of  Messrs.  Mitchell,  Thorns  &  Co.  (Ltd.), 
of  Chard,  in  Somersetshire;  and  Mr.  Langton  Cole,  official  architect 
of  the  London  Stock  Exchange. 

Archibald  Vickers  (Ltd.)  also  make  a  paint  which  is  intended  as 
a  substitute  for  white  lead.  This  is  compounded  on  a  zinc  base  with 
various  special  media.  It  was  stated  that  this  paint  had  proved 
more  durable  than  lead  under  certain  conditions  for  outside  pur- 
poses, as  on  the  Brighton  west  pier  and  Southsea  pier. 

Mr.  Pisart,  managing  director  of  the  Maastricht  Zinc  White  Co. 
contended  that  zinc  had  been  proved  to  bo  superior  to  lead  as  an 
ingredient  in  pigment,  and  in  support  of  this  he  quoted  the  extent  to 
which  it  was  used  as  such  in  Sweden.  The  figures  quoted  showed 
that  in  six  years  the  consumption  of  zinc  pigments  in  Sweden  has 
risen  from  3,032  tons' to  4,244  tons,  while  the  consumption  of  white 
load  has  decreased  from  511  tons  to  501  tons;  the  committee  regard 
these  statistics  as  instructive  as  showing  the  favor  with  which  zinc 
paints  must  be  regarded  by  master  painters  in  Sweden,  a  country 
whose  chief  cities  are  to  be  found  in  a  latitude  not  greatly  different 
from  our  own,  and  whose  climatic  conditions  embrace  substantially 
all  the  varieties  of  weather  met  with  in  the  United  Kingdom.  The 
British  Board  of  Trade  have,  from  records  in  their  possession  of  im- 
ports and  exports  of  foreign  nations,  verified  the  statistics  quoted, 
which  may  therefore  be  relied  upon  as  absolutely  accurate. 

Mr.  Pisart  also  referred  to  the  practice  of  the  Belgian  Government, 
which  has  exclusively  used  zinc  oxide  in  place  of  white  lead  on  the 
State  railways  since  1909.  In  corroboration  of  this  statement  the 
committee  received  through  the  Foreign  Office  the  following  note 
from  the  Belgian  minister  of  railways,  marine,  posts,  and  telegraphs. 

(translation.) 

It  is  perfectly  correct  that  since  1909,  white  lead  has  been  prohibited  for  the  above 
works,1  and  that  it  has  been  replaced  by  the  material  named. 

The  figures  given  for  the  years  1909,  1910,  1911,  and  1912,  so  far  as  concern  the  con- 
sumption for  rolling  stock  and  the  like,  that  is  for  all  purposes  other  than  those  apper- 
taining to  ways  and  works,  are  respectively  47,958  K,  51,661  K,  52,057  K,  and  50,254  K 
of  unground  zinc  white.2 

As  stated  in  the  letter  of  the  British  minister  of  July  1  last,  the  quantities  furnished 
as  public  supplies  for  the  ways  and  works  do  not  include  the  quantities  used  by  con- 
tractors for  works  carried  out  by  them,  but  only  what  is  necessary  for  the  works  to 
be  carried  out  under  the  State  department  by  operative  painters  forming  part  of  the 
staff  of  the  State  railway  department. 

These  quantities  vary  from  one  cause  or  another,  and  depend  on  the  importance  of 
the  painting  operations,  the  execution  of  which  is  found  to  be  necessary  in  the  course 
of  the  year. 

1  The  works  carriod  out  for  the  Belgian  State  Railway  Administration,  including  locomotives  and  rolling 
stock,  bu  !  idges,  and  signals. 

2  That  is,  47.1  tons,  50.8  tons,  51.2  tons,  and  49.4  tons,  respectively. 


DANGER  IN  USE  OF  LEAD  IN  THE  PAINTING  OF  BUILDINGS.     141 

The  quantities  of  zinc  white  quoted  in  the  aJ)ove-named  letter  of  the  British  minis- 
ter, as  purchased  by  way  of  supplies  during  the  years  1909  to  1912  for  the  requirements 
of  the  ways  and  works  services,  are  correct. 

The  zinc  white  need  not  be  absolutely  pure,  but  must  contain  at  most  4  per  cent  of 
lead  compounds  and  0.2  per  cent  of  arsenious  acid. 

The  most  careful  investigation  which  has  been  made,  and  the  opinions  given  by  the 
most  competent  authorities  on  the  subject,  have  established  the  conclusion  that  this 
permitted  limit  could  not  present  any  serious  objections  from  the  point  of  view  of  the 
health  of  the  staff  engaged  in  painting  operations. 

From  the  point  of  view  of  durability,  there  is  no  difference  between  white  lead  and 
zinc  white  for  interior  painting. 

The  latter  possesses  indeed  an  advantage  over  the  former,  as  it  gives  a  softer  and 
more  beautiful  tint. 

After  washing,  carried  out  under  proper  conditions,  zinc  white  paintwork  recovers 
its  pristine  freshness.  This  is  not  the  case  with  white  lead  paintwork,  which  after 
washing  is  always  more  or  less  lacking  in  freshness. 

Zinc  white  for  interior  work  is  therefore  superior  to  white  lead.  For  exterior  work 
so  far  as  concerns  surfaces  which  are  not  particularly  exposed  to  severe  conditions, 
the  two  methods  of  painting  under  consideration  are  still  practically  of  equal  value. 

But  in  special  cases  (for  example,  at  the  seaside)  white  lead  painting  possesses  a  cer- 
tain superiority  over  the  other. 

White  lead  in  this  case  has  a  greater  durability  and  affords  a  better  protection  to  the 
surfaces  on  which  it  is  applied. 

In  spite  of  this  advantage,  the  administration  of  the  State  railways  do  not  hesitate  to 
prohibit  white  lead,  even  in  these  special  cases,  and  this  has  been  done  from  the  point 
of  view  of  the  health  of  the  operatives,  whom  the  State  was  determined  to  safeguard 
from  plumbism. 

Mr.  Depierres,  managing  director  of  the  Indestructible  Paint  Co. 
also  asserted  emphatically  that  white  lead  can  be  dispensed  with  for 
painting  purposes.  His  firm  supply  large  quantities  of  zinc  paints 
for  the  use  of  the  admiralty. 

Mr.  Chancellor,  M.  P.,  .and  another  representative  of  his  firm, 
claimed  that  Messrs.  Chancellor  &  Co.'s  zinc  paints  are  as  well  quali- 
fied as  white  lead  for  any  purpose;  letters  from  contractors  were 
Eroduced  showing  the  great  covering  power  of  these  paints,  and  a 
st  was  given  of  a  large  number  of  buildings,  including  various  public 
buildings,  to  which  they  havo  been  applied.  The  same  paints  have 
also  been  employed  on  the  royal  yacht  Victoria  and  Albert,  foreign 
railways  and  tramcars,  and  in  garden  suburbs  near  London. 

M.  Ciraud  and  M.  Petit  gave  evidence  regarding^ the  hydrated  zinc 
oxide  manufactured  by  the  French  firm  of  Carlier  Freres.  This  pan  it 
material,  which  is  guaranteed  free  from  lead,  is  sold  in  this  country 
under  the  name  of  Zinox.  Although  it  has  been  in  use  in  France  for 
:i  years,  it  has  only  recently  been  introduced  into  this  country, 
but  since  the  date  on  which  the  above-mentioned  gentlemen  gave 
their  evidence,  it  has  made  considerable  progress  in  England. 

Mr.  Cruikshank  Smith,  D.  Sc,  F.  C.  S.,  in  the  course  of  techni 
nee  regarding  the  essential  differences  between   lead   and   zinc 
pigments,  stated  that  he  considered  zinc  oxide  all  round  superior  to 
Lead  for  interior  painting  and  also  for  exterior  painting  if  the  zinc 
paint  is  properly  prepared  wit  h  a  suitable  medium. 

Mr.  Charles  Line  gave  similar  evidence,  and,  witli  reference  i 
number  of  houses  which  he  quoted  as  examples  of  the  use  of  /inc. 
paints  for  both  interior  and  exterior  work,  maintained   that  they 
showed  greater  durability  than  lead  paints,  when  properly  prepared 
and  applied. 

The  KabokCo.  manufacture  graphite  paints,  mainly  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  but  have  also  a  branch  at  Sheffield.     They  coni-'iid 


142  BULLETIX    OF    THE   BUREAU   OF   LABOR   STATISTICS. 

that,  apart  from  their  preservative  properties,  Rabok  paints  can  be 
used  as  undercoats  even  with  light  colors  on  top. 

Call's  Bitmo  Co.  manufacture  bituminous  compositions  intended 
for  application  on  metal;  they  are  largely  employed  on  ships  and 
are  stated  to  be  applicable  as  a  priming  on  iron  and  steel  to  the  entire 
displacement  of  lead  primings. 

Schobert's  paints  are  made  of  zinc  and  iron  specially  composed  for 
use  on  ships;  they  can  be  successfully  applied  direct  on  iron  and  steel 
without  lead  priming,  and  have  been  in  use  for  some  45  years  by  rail- 
way and  steamship  companies,  gas  companies  and  others,  such  as  the 
Lancashire  &  Yorkshire  Railway  Co.,  the  Great  Eastern  Railway 
Co.,  Sir  Frederick  Bolton's  Steamship  Co.,  and  the  Farrar  Grove's 
Steamship  Co.;  also  by  Messrs.  Pritchetts  &  Gold,  accumulator 
makers,  and  by  a  number  of  gas  companies,  including  the  Brentford 
Gas  Co. 

Users  ofleadless  paints. — The  most  important  evidence  under  this 
head  relates  to  the  use  for  a  number  of  years  of  zinc  paints  byH.M. 
office  of  works,  the  principal  architect  of  which  has  under  his  super- 
vision the  royal  palaces,  the  Houses  of  Parliament,  Government 
offices,  Crown  courts,  post  offices,  inland  revenue  offices  in  England 
and  Wales,  and  foreign  consulates  throughout  the  world. 

II.  M.  office  of  works. — Mr.  Patterson,  clerk  of  the  office  of  works 
in  charge  of  the  West  London  district,  attended  on  three  occasions, 
and  gave  detailed  evidence  to  the  effect  that  the  office  of  works  had 
replaced  lead  paints,  though  considerable  difficulty  had  been  at  first 
encountered.  They  found,  he  said,  that  zinc  oxide  paints  required 
different  treatment  to  the  white  lead  paints  previously  used,  and  were 
not  so  easy  to  dry.  The  latter  trouble  was  overcome  by  having  the 
paints  made  with  boiled  refined  linseed  oil  with  manganese  borate 
driers  and  a  trace  only  of  litharge,  while  sufficient  opacity  was  obtained 
by  thickening  them  with  as  much  as  60  to  70  per  cent  of  zinc  oxide. 
Such  paints  have  been  found  to  cost,  for  identical  quality,  approxi- 
mately the  same  as  lead  paints,  and  have  been  generally  employed  in 
the  painting  of  Crown  buildings  since  1907.  Prior  to  May,  1913,  a  cer- 
tain amount  of  lead  paint  was  still  in  use;  it  was,  however,  confined 
to  the  small  proportion  required  for  priming  of  iron  and  steel  and  new 
woodwork;  since,  that  date  it  has  been  discontinued  for  the  latter 
purpose,  but  for  iron  and  steel  work  an  orange  lead  primer  is  still 
required;  apart  from  that  and  the  compounding  of  green  colors,  the 
office  of  works  have  discarded  lead  paints  in  all  their  operations.  Mr. 
Patterson  further  said  that  he  had  no  doubt  whatever  that  zinc  paints, 
with  the  addition  of,  say,  5  per  cent  of  lead  compound,  could  abso- 
lutely replace  all  lead  paints  for  ordinary  purposes.1  Importance  is 
at  1  ached  to  the  medium  and,  for  finishing  coats,  a  certain  proportion 
of  varnish  is  always  specified  by  the  office  of  works,  but  even  so,  zinc 
paints  only  cost  the  same  as  the  corresponding  lead  paints.  For  all 
ordinary  painting  the  leadless  paints  have  given  results  quite  as  good 
as  lead  paints  over  a  period  of  live  or  six  years  during  which  they  have 
been  under  definite  and  careful  observation.  The  formula  originally 
specified  in  1906  has  since  been  somewhat  modified,  the  proportion  of 
zinc  oxide  being  raised  to  58  per  cent,  and  a  maximum  of  not  more 
than  5  per  cent  of  lead  compounds  being  permitted. 

1  With  regard  to  colored  paints,  see  p.  144. 


DAXGEB  IX  USB   OF   LEAD  IX  THE  PAIXTIXG  OF  BUILDINGS.      143 

Sir  Henry  Tanner,  the  principal  architect  of  the  office  of  works  for 
England  and  Wales,  and  in  charge  of  the  upkeep  of  diplomatic  and 
consular  buildings  abroad,  also  attended  and  corroborated  the  evi- 
dence of  Mr.  Patterson ;  Sir  Henry  said  he  had  satisfied  himself  that  the 
office  of  works'  formula  for  leadless  paints  would  be  applicable  to  all 
kinds  of  outside  painting,  and  that  lead  is  not  required,  except  for  a 
first  coat  on  iron  and  steel,  regarding  which  experiments  are  still  in 
progress.1  Sir  Henry  Tanner  considered  that  if  lead  were  prohibited 
architects  would  specify  paints  with  a  zinc  basis,  and  he  thought  the 
experience  of  the  office  of  works  was  sufficient  to  justify  the  abolition 
of  the  use  of  white  lead. 

Messrs.  Cadbury  Bros.  (Ltd.),  the  well-known  cocoa  and  chocolate 
firm  of  Bournville,  near  Birmingham,  have  also  given  careful  atten- 
tion to  the  possibility  of  discarding  lead  paints.  The  firm  employ 
from  30  to  50  painters,  who  are  engaged  in  all  varieties  of  work;  lead- 
less  paints  were  first  adopted  12  years  ago;  they  have  been  used 
almost  exclusively  for  the  last  7  years,  and  during  the  last  3 
years  no  lead  whatever  has  been  introduced  into  the  composition  of 
any  paint.  The  firm's  representative  stated  that  the  results  obtained 
were  entirely  satisfactory  for  office  and  factory  painting,  both  exterior 
and  interior,  whether  on  iron,  steel,  or  wood  work;  there  was  also  no 
appreciable  difference  in  cost  one  way  or  the  other. 

Commander  Covsh,  R.  N.  R.,  marine  superintendent  of  the  Great 
Eastern  Railway,  stated  that  this  company  had  decided  to  use  zinc 
paints  exclusively  on  their  ships;  the  change  from  lead  to  zinc  paints 
was  made  in  consequence  of  experiments  with  tin1  latter  which  had 
proved  to  be  entirely  satisfactory,  and  it  was  decided  upon,  not  on 
account  of  the  danger  of  lead  poisoning,  but  solely  owing  to  business 
Considerations.  Up  to  the  time  of  giving  evidence  the  company  had 
not  discarded  red  lead  for  priming  on  iron,  but  experiments  were  in 
hand  with  a  protective  leadless  oxide  which  was  largely  coming  into 
use. 

('apt.  Tuke,  marine  superintendent  of  the  Orient  Steamship  Co., 
stated  that  for  all  ordinary  internal  and  external  painting  on  their 
ships,  zinc  paints  had  been  exclusively  used  for  35  years;  these  paints 
include  zinc  priming  paints  for  both  wood  and  metal;  zinc  white  paint 
with  a  little  coloring  matter  such  as  yellow  ocher  for  stone  color;  zinc 
white  for  the  hold-;  and  enamel  paints  over  zinc  undercoats  for  the 
interior  of  cabins,  while  the  hulls  are  painted  with  a  leadless  black 
paint.  At  t he  time  of  giving  evidence  a  small  proportion  of  lead  was 
still  required  for  the  bun-colored  paint  used  only  for  funnels  and  ven- 
tilators, but  Cant.  Tuke  was  of  opinion  that  the  entire  prohibition  of 
lend  paint  would  not  affect  his  company  in  the  least. 

//.  .1/.  admiralty. — Mr.  Arnold  Philip,  the  admiralty  chemist,  tes- 
tified to  the  progress  made  with  leadless  paints  on  the  ships  of  H.M. 
navy,  red  oxide  of  iron  taking  the  place  of  red  lead  on  double  bottoms 
and  iron  casings  of  boilers.  Zinc  white  paints  have  also  replaced 
while  lead  to  a  considerable  exlent  during  recent  years,  and  zinc 
enamels  have  proved  tie-  mosl  satisfactory  for  the  inside  of  cabins. 

Mi'.  Philip  considered  that    the  widespread  belief  that  lead  paint-  are 

I        was  to  be  ascribed  to  the  length  of  time  thai  painter-  nave  been 
accustomed  to  them.     In  his  opinion,  leadless  paints  would  be  equally 
rviceable  as  lead  for  the  outside  painting  of  navy  vessels. 

i  Regarding  the  :  mry'a 

itative,  of  Cant.  Tuke,  andof  Mr.  Ellson, referred  toon  pp.  143  and  144;  and  communications 

summarized  in  the  tablo  at  (he  end  of  this  volume. 


144  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOE    STATISTICS. 

Mr.  Mockf ord,  foreman  of  painters  at  H.  M.  dockyard,  Portsmouth, 
gave  similar  evidence,  and  said  lie  considered  the  abolition  of  the  use 
of  lead  the  only  way  to  remove  the  danger  of  lead  poisoning;  he 
thought,  moreover,  it  would  be  practicable  to  prohibit  it  at  once, 
except  for  priming  coats  on  iron  and  steel  surfaces;  this  exception  he 
made  because  he  had  so  far  carried  out  no  experiments  on  a  large  scale 
with  leadless  paints  for  that  purpose. 

Mr.  Ellson,  resident  engineer  of  the  South  Eastern  &  Chatham 
Railway,  in  charge  of  the  bridges  and  railway  stations  at  Charing 
Cross  and  Cannon  Street,  dealt  almost  exclusively  with  paints  suitable 
for  engineering  structures,  for  which  dark  colors  are  not  considered 
objectionable.  Under  very  trying  atmospheric  conditions  in  which 
sulphurous  fumes  are  prevalent,  e.  g.,  inside  a  railway  terminus,  silica 
graphite  paints  had  been  conclusively  proved  to  be  superior  to  lead 
paint.  Two  coats  of  carbonizing  coating  paint  had  also  been  found 
as  good  as  three  coats  of  the  best  lead  paint  for  a  period  of  six  years 
during  winch  they  were  tried  side  by  side  on  Cannon  Street  roof.  The 
application  of  coal-tar  paint  to  bridges  has  proved  very  efficient  in 
every  way,  and  durable  up  to  as  much  as  18  years.  Mr.  Ellson, 
although  not  much  concerned  with  white  paints,  has  made  small 
experiments  therewith  which  have  proved  them  to  bo  entirely  satis- 
factory and  as  efficient  and  durable  as  the  best  lead  paints  in  the 
severe  atmospheric  conditions  of  London  railway  termini.  This  wit- 
ness's conclusion,  therefore,  was  that  the  prohibition  of  the  use  of  lead 
would  cause  no  difficulty  in  his  department. 

Mr.  Hunter,  inspector  in  charge  of  the  painting  operations  on  the 
Forth  bridge,  said  that  of  the  paint  there  used  leadless  materials,  par- 
ticularly oxide  of  iron,  constitute  75  per  cent,  but  that  a  mixture  of  red 
and  white  lead  is  still  employed  as  a  priming  coat  on  naked  steelwork; 
he  said  he,  had  never  tried  to  find  a  substitute  for  lead  for  the  latter 
purpose,  but  was  confident  that  if  lead  were  prohibited  a  substitute 
would  easily  be  found.  At  the  time  of  giving  evidence  he  was  already 
experimenting  with  a  bituminous  paint  which  appeared  satisfactory 
for  this  purpose.  As  regards  subsequent  coats,  Mr.  Hunter  considered 
iron  oxide  distinctly  superior  to  lead  paint. 

COLORED  PAINTS. 

The  evidence  regarding  the  efficiency  of  leadless  paints  reviewed 
above  deals  mainly  with  (1)  paintwork  which  has  to  be  carried  out 
cither  with  white  paints  or  with  paints  which  are  only  slightly  tinted 
with  leadless  pigments  such  as  ochers;  (2)  paintwork  of  a  dark  color 
for  which  graphite,  bituminous,  or  coal-tar  paints  arc  suitable. 

For  decorative  painting,  however,  colored  paints  are  necessary, 
and  the  question  of  the  coloring  materials  or ' '  stainer  "  is  of  importance. 
A  considerable  number  of  the  pigments  at  present  in  use  with  lead 
base  paints  are  themselves  leadless;  this  category  includes: 
All  shades  of  blue,  made  up  from — 

Prussian    blue,    a    ferrocyanide    of    potassium    and    iron 

compound; 
Cobalt  blue,  i.e.,  oxide  of  cobalt; 
Ultramarine,  a  complex  sodium-aluminium  sulpho-silicate; 


DANGER  IX   USE   OF   LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING    OF  BUILDINGS.      145 

the  various  yellows,  drabs,  and  browns,  obtained  from — 
Ochers ; 
Umbers ; 

Siennas  and  other  earths; 
the  purple  reds  made  with — 

Crocus  Martis,  an  iron  compound; 
and  a  variety  of  calcined  colors  such  as — 

Dove  color,  containing  manganese,  iron,  and  cobalt;  purple, 

containing  several  different  iron  compounds; 
Mulberry,  containing  manganese  and  cobalt; 
Dove — another    shade — containing    chromium    oxide    and 

cobalt: 
Greens,  made  by  calcining  bichromate  of  potash  with  other 
leadless  ingredients; 
as  well  as  the  lakes  and  anilin  colors,  some  of  which  have,  however, 
been  avoided  on  account  of  their  want  of  permanency.1 

In  addition  there  are  a  few  pigments  which  must  of  necessity  be 
mixed  with  leadless  paint  bases,  and  require  to  be  carefully  protected 
from  contact  with  any  lead  paint,  because  they  would  tend  to  turn 
black  owing  to  the  reaction  of  the  lead  with  the  sulphur  contained  in 
the  color;  these  include: 

Cadmium  yellow  (sulphide  of  cadmium) ; 
Vermilion  (sulphide  of  mercury) . 
On  the  other  hand,  evidence  shows  that  yellows,  greens,  and  reds, 
compounded  on  a  lead  base,  are  to-day  widely  in  demand;  it  will, 
therefore,  be  convenient  to  deal  with  these  colors  seratim. 

Yellows. — Dr.  Crow,  representing  the  color,  paint,  oil,  and  varnish 
trades  associations,  contended  that  lead  chromate  was  preferable  to 
zinc  yellows,  because  the  latter  were  deficient  in  opacity  and  gave  a 
smaller  range  of  tints. 

The  amount  of  lead  contained  in  ordinary  chromate  paints  is  about 
10  to  20  per  cent,  and  as  such  would  probably  be  innocuous.  In  the 
pottery  regulations  materials  containing  less  than  5  per  cent  of  lead 
compounds  soluble  in  a  standard  solution  of  hydrochloric  acid  are 
regarded  as  nonpoisonous;  a  similar  test  has  been  applied  to  various 
paint  materials  by  the  chemists  of  the  Government  laboratory  and 
others,  and  judging  by  these  the  proportion  of  lead  chromate  soluble 
in  dilute  hydrochloric  acid  would  be  too  small  to  be  material. 

These  statements  are  also  confirmed  by  the  evidence  of  Mr.  C.  I. 
Smyth,  chief  chemist  to  Messrs.  Mander  Bros.,  who  examined  various 
grades  of  lead  chromate  and  found  the  pure  salt  to  have  a  solubility 
of  only  1  per  cent,  while  commercial  chromate  containing  also  lead 
sulphate  has  a  solubility  of  15  per  cent,  and  the  solubility  of  chrome 
yellow  with  an  admixture  of  white  lead  rises  to  35  per  cent.  From 
this  it  appears  that  lead  chromate  yellows  used  for  the  purpose  of 
tinting  leadless  white  paints  would  result  in  a  paint  mixture  of  solu- 
bility well  under  5  per  cent. 

The  Szerelmey  Co.'s  yellow  paints  contain  from  5  to  7  per  cent  of 
lead  compounds,  which  would  also  involve  much  less  than  5  per  cent 
of  lead  soluble  in  dilute  hydrochloric  acid. 

Mr.  Council,  giving  evidence  respecting  the  "Hansa"  colors  manu- 
factured by  Messrs.  Meister,   Lucius  iV.  Bruning,  pointed  out  that 

1  Formula  for  all  the  pigments  referred  to  above  may  be  found  b  >oks  of  trade 

recipes. 

25235%-Bull.  188—16 10 


146  BULLETIN    OF    THE    BUREAU    OF    LABOR    STATISTICS. 

they  are  made  without  lead,  and  although  built  up  from  anilin  and 
alizarin  they  do  not  fade  in  bright  light  and  are  even  unaffected  by  lime. 
It  is  claimed  that  they  can  replace  chrome  yellow  for  all  purposes,  but 
they  are  from  10  to  50  per  cent  more  expensive;  in  a  paint  containing 
10  per  cent  of  the  yellow  pigment,  this  would  mean  an  increase  of  1 
to  5  per  cent  in  the  cost  of  the  paint. 

It  appears,  therefore,  that  leadless  yellows  are  not  impossible  to 
obtain;  and,  moreover,  that  a  restriction  to  not  more  than  5  per  cent 
of  lead  compounds  soluble  in  dilute  hydrochloric  acid  would  still 
admit  the  use  of  lead  chromate  as  a  color  provided  that  it  is  mixed 
with  a  leadless  base  paint  instead  of  white  lead. 

Greens. — The  ordinary  greens,  called  Brunswick  greens,  at  present 
in  general  use,  are  for  the  most  part  mixtures  of  Prussian  blue  and 
lead  chromate.  The  former  being  leadless,  it  follows  that  the  above 
references  to  yellows  will  also  substantially  apply  to  greens. 

H.  M.  office  of  works  admit  as  much  as  10  per  cent  of  lead  com- 
pounds in  their  green  paints;  in  view  of  the  low  solubility  of  lead 
chromate,  this  is  equivalent  to  considerably  less  than  5  per  cent  of 
soluble  lead.  Dr.  Crow  stated  that  some  of  the  best  greens  contain 
20  to  35  per  cent  of  lead  chromate,  of  which  only  a  small  proportion 
is  soluble,  while  the  usual  commercial  greens  contain  only  from  3  to 
5  per  cent  of  lead  compounds. 

The  Szerelmey  Co.'s  greens,  like  their  yellows,  contain  only  from 
5  to  7  per  cent  of  lead  compounds,  corresponding  to  a  very  low  solu- 
bility. 

The  Hansa  greens  of  Meister,  Lucius  &  Bruning  are  entirely 
leadless. 

Messrs.  Cadbury  Bros.  (Ltd.),  of  Bourn ville,  use  exclusively  lead- 
less greens  made  from  barium  or  zinc,  or  from  ferrocyanide  of  potas- 
sium and  ocher. 

Thus  the  conclusion  in  regard  to  greens  is  the  same  as  for  yellows, 
viz,  that  a  5  per  cent  solubility  limit  for  lead  in  paints  would  not 
prevent  the  use  of  the  greens  generally  employed  to-day. 

Reds. — Many  of  the  reds  at  present  in  use,  such  as  vermilionettes, 
are  made  on  an  orange  or  red-lead  base,  and  these  are  almost  wholly 
soluble  in  dilute  hydrochloric  acid. 

Mr.  Grant  Hooper,  superintending  chemist  at  the  Government 
laborator}7-,  suggested  that  red  oxide  of  iron  paints  and  vermilion 
could  be  used;  if  at  any  time  the  high  price  of  the  latter  is  an  objec- 
tion, the  lead  vermilionettes  could  probably  be  replaced  by  alumin- 
ium lakes. 

Mr.  C.  I.  Smyth  also,  while  admitting  that  his  experiments  for  the 
purpose  of  discovering  a  suitable  substitute  for  orange  lead  were  as 
3'et  very  limited,  said  he  thought  success  in  the  direction  of  a  red 
paint  of  solubility  under  5  per  cent  was  quite  possible;  since  giving 
evidence  he  has  pursued  his  experiments  further  and  has  reported 
the  successful  preparation  of  red  paints  entirely  free  from  lead;  these 
have  been  produced  at  the  same  price  as  lead  paints  and  in  shades  to 
match  every  variety  of  tint;  their  permanency  of  color  when  exposed 
to  light,  has,  moreover,  been  tested  by  continuous  exposure  to  south 
aspect  for  periods  of  two  years  and  upward. 

The  Szerelmey  Co.  claim  that  their  red  paints  contain  no  lead,  and 
are  prepared  to  supply  any  shade  of  red  without  any  lead  in  its  com- 
position. 


DAXGER  IX   USE   OF   LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.      147 

Messrs.  Cadbury  Bros.  (Ltd.),  moreover,  use  no  lead  in  red  paints, 
which  are  compounded  with  iron  oxides  for  general  paints  and  with 
carmine  and  other  special  leadless  colors  for  better-class  "signal" 
reds;  the  committee  have  also  found  other  instances  in  which  bright 
red  paints  on  a  lead  base  have  been  successfully  replaced  by  leadless 
reds. 

H.  M.  office  of  works  have  in  recent  years  obtained  very  satisfac- 
tory reds  on  an  aniline,  i.  e.,  leadless,  base. 

Small  'proportion  of  coloring  matter  required  in  the  composition  of 
colored  paints. — In  the  composition  of  colored  paints  the  proportion 
of  coloring  matter  which  is  added  to  a  white  base  paint  is  in  most 
cases  very  small.  The  committee  therefore  consider  that  a  restric- 
tion of  the  use  of  lead  to  not  more  than  5  per  cent  of  soluble  lead  in 
any  paint  when  mixed  ready  for  use  would  not  unduly  hamper  the 
decorator  in  obtaining  the  requisite  range  of  colors;  for  the  same 
reason  it  was  clearly  established  by  the  evidence  of  Messrs.  Cadbury's 
representative  and  others,  that  the  compulsory  use  of  such  colors, 
although  in  themselves  somewhat  more  expensive  than  colors  the 
lead  in  which  is  not  restricted,  would  only  affect  the  total  cost  of 
painting  to  an  infinitesimal  degree. 

DRIERS. 

While  there  are  several  leadless  driers  in  general  use,  such  as  the 
linoleates  and  borates  of  manganese,  a  number  of  witnesses  called 
attention  to  the  valuable  properties  of  certain  lead  compounds,  such 
as  litharge,  in  promoting  the  drying  of  paints;  the  proportion  of  lead 
added  to  a  paint  for  this  purpose  is,  however,  quite  negligible — as  is 
abundantly  shown  by  the  evidence  of  Dr.  Crow,  Mr.  Patterson,  and 
others — and  would  be  amply  covered  by  admitting  up  to  5  per  cent 
of  lead  compounds  in  a  paint. 

CORROBORATION  BY  PAINT  USERS. 

In  addition  to  the  firms  who  were  heard  as  representative  makers 
of  leadless  paints,  there  are  of  course  a  very  large  number  of  other 
paint  makers  whose  non poisonous  paints  are  also  on  the  market. 
With  a  view  to  substantiating  further  the  claims  of  leadless  paint 
materials  to  be  regarded  as  efficient  substitutes  for  white  lead  paints, 
the  committee  have  collected  opinions  from  a  number  of  users  of  such 
paints,  both  those  spoken  of  by  witnesses  and  others. 

As  a  result  of  this  corroborative  inquiry,  replies  have  been  received 
from  102  users,  the  general  trend  of  which  indicates  thai  a  huge  Dum- 
ber of  leadless  paints  have  been  found  satisfactory  in  finish,  dura- 
bility, permanence  of  color,  and  cost.  These  include  statements 
from  six  architects  and  others  who  have  had  under  their  observation 
iron  and  steel  casement  and  window  frames  which  have  been  primed 
with  a  leadless  priming  paint  which  has  proved  itself  to  be  quite  effi- 
cient for  this  purpose.1 

ADEQUACY  OF  SUPPLY  OF  LEADLESS  MATERIALS  FOR  PAINTS. 

With  regard  to  the  available  supplies  of  leadless  materials  for  the 
manufacture  of  paint,  the  second  point  which,  as  staled  on  page  136, 
the  committee  have  to  determine,  they  were  assured  that  in  the  event 
of  the  use  of  lead  paints  being  prohibited  the  quantity  of  zinc  obtain- 
able would  alone  be  sufficient  to  meel  all  demands. 


1  See  table  at  end  of  this  volume. 


148  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

The  total  home  consumption  of  white  lead  for  painting  purposes 
was  given  by  Mr.  Miller,  of  the  London  Chamber  of  Commerce,  speak- 
ing on  behalf  of  the  white  lead  manufacturers,  as  approximately 
50,000  tons;  zinc  compounds,  on  the  other  hand,  are  very  much 
lighter  specifically  than  lead  compounds,  and,  consequently,  every 
ton  of  zinc  yields  nearly  60  per  cent  more  volume  of  paint  than  each 
ton  of  lead.  On  this  basis,  therefore,  one  witness  estimated  the 
amount  of  zinc  required  to  replace  lead  for  painting  in  this  country 
as  about  34,000  tons,  but  against  this  a  number  of  witnesses  expressed 
the  opinion  that  more  frequent  painting  of  exposed  surfaces  would  be 
requisite  if  lead  were  prohibited;  the  committee,  therefore^  propose 
to  take  a  very  liberal  estimate,  and  with  a  view. to  considering  what 
effect  the  increased  demand  may  be  expected  to  have  on  the  zinc 
market,  have  assumed  that  the  additional  quantity  of  zinc  likely  to 
be  required  would  amount  to  50,000  tons. 

THE  WORLD'S  OUTPUT  OF  ZINC. 

Complete  figures  of  the  world's  output  of  zinc,  with  the  yearly  fluc- 
tuations of  its  price,  will  be  found  in  the  General  Report  (with  statis- 
tics) on  Mines  and  Quarries,  Part  IV.  The  average  consumption 
and  price  in  each  of  the  last  two  quadrennials  for  which  figures  nave 
been  published  are: 


1903-1906. 
1907-1910. 


Difference  between  consecutive  four-yearly  periods. 


Average 

yearly 

quantity. 


Tom. 
633, 887 
834,297 


+  200,410 


Average 

price  per 

ton. 


£  s.  d. 
24  6  9 
22    17    11 


-1      8    10 


From  this  it  appears  that  an  average  increased  demand  of  just 
over  50,000  tons  each  year  has  not  only  resulted  in  no  increase  in 
price,  but  has  actually  been  accompanied  by  an  average  reduction 
of  price  by  over  7s.  ($1.70)  per  ton  annually. 

These  figures  alone  the  committee  feel  are  sufficient  to  dispose  of 
the  allegation  that  the  supply  of  zinc  might  be  insufficient  to  meet 
the  increased  demand  without  a  material  increase  in  price;  it  is,  how- 
ever, also  of  interest  to  note  a  paragraph  which  has  recently  appeared 
in  trade  journals  1  concerning  the  syndicate  which  largely  controls 
the  market  price  of  zinc;  the  paragraph  in  question  is  to  the  effect 
that  in  addition  to  reducing  the  current  quotations  of  zinc,  the  syndi- 
cate decided,  on  April  28,  "to  make  a  restriction  of  between  15  and 
18  per  cent  in  the  output,  to  commence  on  May  1,"  it  being  "esti- 
mated that  stocks  in  hand  at  the  end  of  April  are  likely  to  be  well 
over  80,000  tons."  The  restriction  of  15  to  18  per  cent  of  the  output 
means  an  artificial  diminution  of  the  production  by  some  150,000 
tons;  an  increased  demand,  therefore,  of  50,000  tons  would  only 
absorb  about  one-third  of  the  recent  overproduction. 

1  See  "The  Ironmonger"  of  May  2,  1914,  page  78.    The  statement  quoted  has,  moreover,  been  confirmed 
by  reference  to  one  of  the  leading  members  of  the  metal  exchange. 


DANGER  IN   USE   OF   LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.      149 
MANUFACTURE  OF  ZINC  OXIDE. 

Chemically  pure  zinc  oxide  is  obtainable  by  what  is  known  as  the 
indirect  process,  which  involves  the  conversion  of  the  ore  into  metal- 
lic zinc  and  the  oxidation  of  the  latter  into  zinc  oxide;  several  wit- 
nesses, however,  stated  that  zinc  oxide  of  the  kind  most  suitable  for 
paint  manufacturers  obtained  by  the  direct  process,  i.  e.,  by  the  con- 
version of  zinc  ore  into  zinc  oxide  without  the  intermediate  process  of 
conversion  into  metallic  zinc.  Zinc  oxide  made  by  the  direct  process 
contains  usually  from  2  to  4  per  cent  of  lead  compounds;  as  this  im- 
purity is  mostly  in  the  form  of  basic  lead  sulphate  the  proportion 
soluble  in  dilute  hydrochloric  acid — and,  therefore,  as  stated  above, 
definitely  noxious — is  negligible.  At  the  present  time  the  price  per 
ton  of  zinc  oxide  differs  but  little  from  the  price  of  white  lead  per  ton, 
although,  as  previously  stated,  the  former  is  specifically  so  much 
lighter  that  it  makes  a  larger  quantity  of  paint. 

It  has,  however,  been  suggested  that  for  the  first  year  or  two  the 
increased  demand  for  zinc  might  somewhat  raise  the  price  of  it,  but 
on  the  other  hand  it  was  pointed  out  that  such  increase,  if  material, 
might  cause  those  zinc  mines  to  be  reopened  which,  owing  to  the  ore 
obtainable  being  of  too  low  a  grade,  can  not  at  present  be  worked  at 
a  profit;  should  this  prove  to  be  the  case,  it  might  well  lead  to  a 
reduction  in  the  price  of  zinc  paints  below  the  present  quotations 
either  for  zinc  or  lead  paints. 

EFFECT  ON  WHITE-LEAD  INDUSTRY. 

A  great  deal  of  evidence  was  submitted  on  behalf  of  the  white  lead 
corroders  concerning  the  probable  effect  on  the  capital  invested  in 
the  white  lead  industry  and  the  labor  employed  therein.  The  esti- 
mated capital  of  the  white  lead  manufacturers  was  put  at  £1,334,000 
($6,491,911),  the  number  of  men  employed  by  them  2,489,  and  the 
estimated  wages  paid  £158,300  (8770,366.95)  per  annum. 

It  was  further  alleged  that  the  consumption  of  pig  lead  in  this 
country,  which  is  at  present  200,000  tons  per  annum,  would  be  re- 
duced hy  25  per  cent  if  the  demand  for  white  lead  ceased.  The  British 
load  miners  number  2,678,  earning  £151,308  (8736,340.38)  annually 
in  wages.  The  smelting  and  refining  firms  employ  780  workmen, 
wages  £72,970  (8355,108.51).  All  these,  it  was  contended,  would 
be  more  or  less  affected,  directly  or  indirectly,  by  any  curtailment 
in  the  demand  for  white  lead. 

While  these  matters  may  well  bo  regarded  as  outside  tin1  terms 
of  reference  to  the  present  committee,  and  while  the  figures  them- 
selves are  by  no  means  large,  the  committee  feed  that  it  is  only  right 
to  call  attention  to  them  in  this  report. 

It  was  further  pointed  out  by  the  advocates  of  white  lend  that 
although  one  firm  in  this  country  is  to-day  engaged  in  making  zinc 
oxide  and  several  in  grinding  zinc  paints,  the  manufacture  of  zinc 
oxide  is  in  the  main  a  foreign  industry.  The  British  Empire,  how- 
ever, produces  18  per  cent  of  the  world's  output,  of  zinc  as  compared 
with  21V  per  cent  of  the  world's  output  of  lead,1  so  that  in  its  early 
Btages  lead  can  not  be  regarded  as  substantially  more  of  a  British 
product  than  zinc. 

'  Tli^o  :iro  the  percentages  calculate  'l  oil  I  I  by  Mr.  Lancaster,  (<t  1909;  is 

portions  were,  ainc  21  percent,]  Jl.l  per  cent,  lead  22.2  per  cent;  in  1912,  una 

20. :  per  cent ,  lead  23.  l  p<  r  cent. 


150  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

EFFECT  OF  AN  INCREASED  DEMAND  FOR  ZINC  OXIDE. 

Again,  notwithstanding  the  white  lead  corroders'  references  to  one 
or  two  unsuccessful  attempts  which  hare  been  made  to  manufac- 
ture zinc  oxide  in  this  country,  the  committee  feel  little  doubt  but 
that  an  increased  demand  for  zinc  paints  would  eventually  result  in 
the  establishment  here  of  zinc  oxide  works  on  a  large  scale.  In  this 
respect  it  was  stated  in  evidence  that  both  the  direct  and  indirect  proc- 
esses for  making  zinc  oxide  have  been  known  for  over  50  years,  and 
are  no  longer  in  the  United  Kingdom  the  subject  of  unexpired  patent 
rights;  this  statement  has  been  verified  by  reference  to  H.  M.  patent 
office,  whose  records  show  that  the  principal  patents  relating  to  the 
manufacture  of  zinc  oxide  expired  many  years  ago,  and  that  the 
patent  restrictions  at  present  in  force  affect  only  very  minor  details, 
such  as  special  types  of  furnaces.  In  these  circumstances  it  appears 
to  be  quite  possible  that  an  impetus  to  development  of  British  enter- 
prise in  the  direction  of  zinc  products  would  lead  to  the  employment 
of  British  capital  and  British  labor  therein,  which  would  take  the 
place  of  capital  and  labor  displaced  from  the  white  lead  industry. 

ZINC  HYDRATE  AND  ANTIMONY  TRIOXIDE. 

In  addition  to  zinc  oxide  paints,  several  new  pigments  have  come 
to  the  notice  of  the  committee,  for  example,  zinc  hydrate  and  anti- 
mony trioxide.  The  evidence  regarding  the  former,  sold  in  this  coun- 
try as  zinox,  has  already  been  reviewed;  antimony  paints  have  been 
known  to  chemists  for  some  time,  and  have  been  used  on  a  consider- 
able scale  in  foreign  countries,  particularly  France,  but  as  yet  they 
have  not  been  introduced  into  the  United  Kingdom  to  any  great 
extent.  One  witness,  however,  when  attending  before  the  commit- 
tee now  sitting  with  reference  to  the  painting  of  carriages  and  coaches,1 
described  a  new  and  improved  process  of  manufacture  about  to  be 
started  on  the  Thames,  and  further  quite  recently  two  other  English 
firms,  viz,  the  Thames  Smelting  Co.  (Ltd.),  of  Gravescnd,  and  Antimors 
(Ltd.),  of  London,  have  begun  to  make  a  specialty  of  this  product, 
which  is  being  offered  at  prices  comparing  favorably  with  other  paint 
materials.  Thus  it  appears  there  are  other  leadless  materials  which 
are  likely  to  become  important  competitors  of  zinc  oxide  as  the  basis 
of  white  paints  in  the  event  of  the  use  of  lead  being  restricted  by  law. 

RESTRICTION    OF    THE   USE    OF   LEAD    TO   NOT   MORE   THAN   5   PER 
CENT  OF  SOLUBLE  LEAD. 

In  view  of  the  two  important  considerations  discussed  above, 
namely — 

(1)  the  necessity  for  permitting  the  use  of  a  certain  amount  of 

coloring  material  containing  lead,  as  well  as  a  very  mi- 
nute quantity  of  lead  in  the  composition  of  driers; 

(2)  the  desirability  of  admitting  zinc  oxide  made  by  the  direct 

process, 
the  committee  have  carefully  considered  the  advisability  of  recom- 
mending   a  restriction  of  the  use  of  lead,  rather    than   its  entire 
prohibition. 

Allusion  has  already  been  made  to  exemptions,  based  on  such  a 
restriction,  which  have  been  in  force  for  several  years  in  the  pottery 

i  Seo  Evidence,  Vol.  IV,  p.  351,  questions  12689-1274S. 


DANGER  IN   USE   OF   LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING    OF  BUILDINGS.      151 

industry.  A  number  of  important  firms  engaged  therein  adopted 
glazes  which,  though  containing  substantial  proportions  of  lead,  yield 
to  dilute  hydrochloric  acid  less  than  5  per  cent  of  a  soluble  lead  com- 
pound; in  1903  these  firms  were  allowed  important  relaxations  under 
the  special  rules  drafted  by  Lord  James  of  Hereford,  and  under  the 
later  pottery  regulations,  based  on  the  report  of  the  departmental 
committee  of  1908-1910,  they  were  allowed  still  further  latitude. 
The  effect  of  these  successive  concessions  has  been  greatly  to  increase 
the  number  of  firms  confining  their  operations  to  the  so-called  low 
solubility  glazes,  and  where  such  glazes  are  exclusively  used,  however 
extensive  that  use  may  be,  there  is  no  record  of  lead  poisoning  directly 
ascribable  thereto.  It  may,  therefore,  be  safely  assumed  that  mate- 
rials containing  less  than  5  per  cent  of  soluble  lead  are  substantially 
harmless. 

In  other  countries  similar  conclusions  have  been  accepted : 

In  France,  where  the  committee  appointed  to  report  on  stand- 
ards of  purity  of  paint  materials  have  recommended  that 
materials  containing  not  more  than  3  per  cent  of  lead  should 
be  regarded  as  leadless. 
In  Belgium,  where  the  administration  of  the  State  railways 
specify  leadless  paints  for  all  purposes,  and  admit,  as  leadless, 
materials  containing  not  more  than  4  per  cent  of  lead. 

EVIDENCE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES  OF  THE  ROYAL  INSTITUTE  OF  BRITISH  ARCHITECTS. 

In  addition  to  evidence  to  which  reference  has  already  been  made, 
the  committee  attach  very  considerable  importance  to  that  of  the  two 
representatives  of  the  Royal  Institute  of  British  Architects,  Mr.  Munby 
and  Mr.  Wonnacott,  who  laid  before  them  the  results  of  an  inves- 
tigation undertaken  by  the  science  committee  of  the  institute  in  the 
years  1908-1910. 

They  found,  as  regards  interior  work,  that — 

(1)  zinc  and  lead  are  equally  suitable; 

(2)  the  cost  of  decoration  with  either  is  the  same; 

(3)  the  covering  power  of  zinc  is  less,  but  the  spreading  power 

greater; 

(4)  the  first  cost  of  zinc  is  greater,  but  it  works  out  cheaper  in 

the  end  because  of  its  permanence  and  durability. 

As  regards  exterior  work,  there  was  some  doubt,  inasmuch  as  Mr. 
Munby  had  come  to  the  conclusion  that  lead  is  more  durable  on 
exposed  surfaces  and  that  certain  dark  colors  are  difficult  to  obtain 
without  any  lead;  Mr.  Wonnacott,  on  the  other  hand,  had  formed 
the  opinion,  as  a  result  of  the  investigation,  that  zinc  was  as  good  as 
lead  for  exterior  work. 

Both  witnesses  agreed,  however,  that  a  limitation  of  the  amount  of 
lead  in  a  paint  to  not  more  than  5  percent  would  introduce  do  Berious 
difficulties.  While  the  knowledge  of  zinc,  paints  among  architects  is 
not  at  present  great,  and  the  use  of  white  lead  is  specified  largely  as  a 
matter  of  habit,  Mr.  Munby  and  Mr.  Wonnacott  both  stated  thai 
architects  generally  would  welcome  the  prohibition  of  lead,  and  both 
considered  it  would  be  perfectly  safe  for  them  to  assent  to  a  5  per  cent 
restriction. 


152  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

SULPHATE  OF  LEAD. 

Reference  was  made  from  time  to  time  in  the  evidence  to  the  value 
of  basic  lead  sulphate  as  a  white  paint  material;  while  this  is  far  from 
being  a  nonpoisonous  paint,  it  is  less  dangerous  in  use  than  the  hy- 
drated  carbonate  of  load,  known  as  white  lead,  to  the  extent  indicated 
by  its  smaller  solubility  in  dilute  hydrochloric  acid.  This  solubility  has 
been  shown  to  be  not  more  than  one-quarter  that  of  white  lead,  and  it 
follows  therefore  that  a  restriction  of  the  use  of  lead  in  paints  to  not 
more  than  5  per  cent  of  soluble  lead  would  permit  of  the,  introduction 
of  as  much  as  20  per  cent  of  a  basic  lead  sulphate  into  a  leadless  paint. 
Mr.  Grant  Hooper,  of  the  Government  laboratory,  in  particular  empha- 
sized the  importance  of  this,  pointing  out  that  a  solubility  limit  would 
encourage  the  use  of  those  forms  of  lead  which  are  least  soluble  and 
therefore  least  objectionable  from  the  standpoint  of  health. 

With  respect  to  the  application  of  such  a  restriction,  the  committee 
consulted  Mr.  Grant  Hooper,  the  superintending  chemist  of  the  Gov- 
ernment laboratory,  and  as  stated  in  his  evidence,  it  has  been  proved 
by  experiment  to  Be  perfectly  feasible  to  apply  to  paints  a  test  similar 
to  that  at  present  used  for  pottery  glazes. 

RECOMMENDATIONS. 

The  committee  accordingly  recommend  that  a  law  should  be  intro- 
duced prohibiting  in  this  country  the  importation,  sale,  or  use,  of  any 
paint  material  which  contains  more  than  5  per  cent  of  its  dry  weight  of 
a  soluble  lead  compound  when  determined  in  the  following  manner: 

If  the  paint  or  wash  be  mixed  with  water,  turpentine,  oil,  varnish, 
size,  or  other  adhesive  or  waterproofing  substance,  it  shall  first  of  all 
be  freed  as  far  as  possible  from  such  vehicle  or  adhesive  or  water- 
proofing substance  by  drying  or  by  treatment  with  ether,  petroleum, 
spirit  alcohol,  water,  or  other  neutral  solvent  or  solvents.  If  the  resid- 
ual substance  so  obtained  should  contain  insoluble  varnish  matter,  size, 
or  other  adhesive  material  which  can  not  be  removed  except  by  the 
action  of  reagents  which  affect  the  other  constituents  of  the  paint  or 
wash,  then  the  proportion  of  such  varnish  matter,  size,  or  other  adhe- 
sive material  shall  be  ascertained  by  suitable  means,  and  a  deduction 
be  made  for  the  same  from  the  weight  of  residual  matter  taken  for  the 
determination  of  the  soluble  lead  so  that  the  proportion  of  soluble 
lead  found  to  be  present  shall  be  calculated  as  a  percentage  of  the  dry 
matter  free  from  varnish  matter,  size,  etc.  For  the  determination  of 
soluble  lead,  a  weighed  quantity  of  the  dried  or  dry  material,  freed  as 
far  as  possible  from  oil,  or  other  vehicle,  or  adhesive  substance  above 
described,  is  to  be  continually  shaken  for  one  hour,  at  the  common  tem- 
perature, with  1 ,000  times  its  weight  of  an  aqueous  solution  of  hydro- 
chloric acid  containing  0.25  per  cent  of  actual  or  real  hydrochloric 
acid.  This  solution  is  thereafter  to  be  allowed  to  stand  for  one  hour 
and  to  be  passed  through  a  filter.  The  lead  salt  contained  in  an 
aliquot  portion  of  the  clear  filtrate  is  then  to  be  precipitated  as  lead 
sulphide  and  weighed  as  lead  sulphate. 

In  conjunction  with  such  a  restriction,  it  would  be  necessary  to 
exempt  specifically  certain  special  classes  of  colors,  such  as  those  used 
by  artists ;  and  in  addition  it  would  be  desirable  to  provide  powers  of 


DANGER  IX   USE   OF   LEAD   IN    THE   PAINTING    OF  BUILDINGS.      153 

granting  exemptions  applicable  only  to  very  special  branches  of  the 
general  painting  industry,  where  it  could  be  shown  to  the  satisfaction 
of  the  secretary  of  state  that  the  use  of  lead  paints  containing  more 
than  5  per  cent  of  soluble  lead,  calculated  as  above,  can  not  as  yet  be 
dispensed  with ;  in  such  cases  the  secretary  of  state  should  have  power 
to  enforce  adequate  precautionary  measures,  viz,  abolition  of  dry  rub- 
bing down,  provision  for  overalls,  mess  rooms,  cloakrooms,  lavatories, 
medical  examination  and  the  like,  all  of  which  should  be  made  com- 
pulsory and  be  enforced  by  adequate  inspection.  The  supply  of  lead 
materials  to  any  user  to  whom  such  an  exemption  is  granted  could  be 
controlled  by  only  permitting  paint  manufacturers  to  supply  the  ma- 
terials in  question  on  condition  of  sending  written  notice  of  the  cus- 
tomer's name  and  address  to  the  proper  Government  department. 

The  committee  have  endeavored  to  indicate,  in  this  report,  all  the 
principal  considerations  on  which  these  recommendations  have  been 
based;  in  formulating  their  opinion  they  have  devoted  much  time  to 
the  most  careful  study  of  every  point  laid  before  them  in  the  evidence, 
and  consider  that  on  that  evidence  they  could  arrive  at  no  other  logi- 
cal conclusion;  they  have,  moreover,  every  confidence  that  the  re- 
striction recommended  will  cause  no  undue  difficulties  to  employers 
in  the  industry,  and  that  it  will  insure  the  ultimate  stamping  out  of 
the  lead  poisoning  evil  among  their  operatives. 

To  give  adequate  time  for  paint  grinders  and  others  to  arrange  for 
supplies  of  nonpoisonous  materials,  and  also  to  facilitate  the  intro- 
duction of  modifications  in  painting  methods  where  special  work 
necessitates  such  changes,  the  committee  recommend  that  the  re- 
striction of  the  amount  of  lead  in  paints  to  not  more  than  5  per  cent 
of  soluble  lead  should  not  be  brought  into  force  until  three  years  have 
elapsed  from  the  date  of  publication  of  this  report. 

DANGERS  OTHER  THAN  LEAD. 

While  the  terms  of  reference  to  the  present  committee  deal  only 
with  the  use  of  lead  compounds,  the  committee  desire  to  call  attention 
to  possible  dangers  to  health  arising  from  the  vapors  of  the  media 
used  equally  in  all  paints — whether  compounded  with  lead  or  lead- 
less  pigments — and  to  the  consequent  importance  of  investigating 
the  possible  effect  on  health  of  vapors  arising  from  the  linseed  oil  and 
turpentine,  or  turpentine  substitutes,  used  in  ordinary  paints.  Mr. 
K.  W.  Goadby  in  his  evidence  describes  experiments  on  animals  sub- 
jected to  turpentine  vapor,  which,  when  a  sufficient  quantity  was 
inhaled,  was  shown  to  be  capable  of  producing  severe  symptoms  and 
even  death.  Although  Prof.  Armstrong  in  his  evidence  stated  that 
the  quantity  of  turpentine  used  in  painting  operations  was  insuffi- 
cient to  cause  ill  effects — and  in  fact  compared  it  with  smelling  sails, 
which  would  also  be  dangerous  if  taken  in  quantity — it  may  be  found 
that  turpentine  and  other  substances  used  in  paints  can  produce  ill 
effects  sufficient  to  require  action  on  the  part  01  the  Home  Office ;  the 
committee,  therefore,  consider  that,  in  any  bill  to  be  laid  before  Par- 
liament to  give  effect  to  these  recommendations,  powers  should  he 
provided  for  the  secretary  of  state  to  make  regulations,  if  he  finds  it 
necessary,  similar  to  those  which  he  can  establish  in  factories  and 
workshops  under  section  79  of  the  Factory  and  Workshop  Act,  1901. 


154  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

The  committee  desire  to  express  their  warmest  thanks  to  Mr.  E.  A. 
R.  Werner,  who  has  throughout  the  inquiry  acted  as  their  secretary, 
and  to  record  their  high  appreciation  both  of  his  great  ability  and  his 
untiring  assiduity. 

Ernest  Hatch,   Chairman. 

Godfrey  Baring. 

Henry  Bentinck. 

Edgar  L.  Collis. 

F.  G.  Rice. 

Archd.  Gardner. 

J.  Parsonage. 
November,  1914. 


MEMORANDUM  BY  MR.  W.  G.  SUTHERLAND. 

It  is  with  great  regret  that  I  find  I  am  unable  to  associate  myself 
with  the  conclusions  arrived  at  by  my  colleagues  on  the  committee. 

I  desire  to  acknowledge  here  the  extreme  courtesy  with  which  I 
have  been  treated  by  the  chairman  all  through  the  inquiry,  though 
it  has  been  my  misfortune  to  have  to  traverse  his  questions  and 
findings. 

It  is  a  grave  step  to  set  my  individual  opinion  against  the  collective 
judgment  of  the  whole  of  the  other  members,  but  I  feel  I  have  no 
option  left  me. 

To  have  signed  the  report  of  the  majority  would  have  been  to  turn 
my  back  on  a  life-long  experience  and  knowledge  of  the  materials 
involved,  and  I  respectfully  submit,  on  much  of  the  weightiest  evi- 
dence put  before  the  committee. 

This  course  of  action  must  not  be  taken  as  showing  any  lack  of 
appreciation  on  my  part  of  (a)  the  problem  created  by  the  use  of 
white  lead  as  a  paint  pigment,  or  (b)  of  my  desire  to  mitigate  its  con- 
sequences. 

I  am  very  solicitous  to  meet  the  grave  effects  of  lead  poisoning 
amongst  painters,  but  before  resorting  to  the  extreme  course  of  pro- 
hibiting the  use  of  so  valuable  a  material  as  white  lead,  I  am  of  opinion 
that,  in  view  of  the  evidence,  a  trial  should  first  be  given  to  regula- 
tions. 

The  data  before  the  committee  are  not,  in  my  opinion,  sufficient  to 
justify  the  step  proposed  by  the  majority,  involving,  as  it  would,  the 
crippling  of  a  large  industry,  the  destruction  of  almost  the  whole  of 
the  plant  engaged  in  its  operations,  and  the  turning  adrift  of  a  largo 
body  of  workmen  (unfitted  for  other  occupation),  who  are  certainly 
entitled  to  consideration. 

LEAD  POISONING  "FATALITIES'*  AND  "CASES"  IN  HOUSE  PAINTING 

OPERATIONS. 

Doubtless  the  consideration  that  prompted  the  appointment  of  the 
committee  was  the  deaths  and  disablements  which  ensue  from  the 
use  of  white  lead  as  a  paint  pigment,  and  the  desire  to  find  a  remedy 
either  by  way  of  prohibition,  regulation  of  its  use,  or  an  efficient  sub- 
stitute. 

NUMBERS  ENGAGED  IN  PAINTING  OPERATIONS  IN  ENGLAND  AND 

WALES. 

The  painting  trade  i^  (numerically)  the  largest  section  of  the  build- 
ing trades,  as  shown  by  the.  recent  "Census  <>f  occupation." 

The  last  census  of  occupation  (1911)  gives  the  number  of  painters 
in  England  and  Wales  as  181,613. 

As  set  out  in  the  majority  report,  the  number  of  painters  in  1901 

was  approximately  157,640. 

i  .i.) 


156  BULLETIN    OF    THE    BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

This  gives  an  average  of  169,627,  from  which  about  20,000  should 
be  subtracted  to  allow  for  employers,  leaving  a  round  figure  of 
150,000  operative  painters. 

It  is  essential  to  keep  this  figure  clearly  in  mind,  as  its  relation  to 
deaths  and  cases  is  important. 

DEATHS. 

The  number  of  deaths  in  England  and  Wales  differ  from  the  "  cases  " 
in  this  respect,  they  are  definite  figures.  All  certified  deaths  from 
lead  poisoning  have  to  be  returned  to  the  registrar  general,  so  we 
have  here  definite  data  to  work  upon,  whereas  the  " cases"  are  esti- 
mated numbers. 

Over  a  period  of  ten  years,  1900-1909,  293  deaths  were  certified  as 
being  due  to  lead  poisoning  amongst  painters  in  England  and  Wales 
(Scotland  and  Ireland  are  excluded).  This  gives  29.3  deaths  per 
annum  out  of  an  occupation  number  of  this  trade  in  the  same  area 
of  150,000. 

The  29.3  deaths  per  annum  amongst  150,000  persons  equals  0.195 
per  1,000  of  the  occupied  painters. 

A  LOWER  INCIDENCE  OF  DEATHS  THAN  IN  THE  SCHEDULED 

INDUSTRIES. 

This  is  a  much  lower  incidence  of  deaths  than  obtains  in  the  com- 
bined lead  industries  which  come  under  factory  supervision. 

OCCUPATION  MORTALITY.1 

Mr.  Holt  Schooling's  evidence  (pp.  581-607)  as  to  the  mean  annual 
death  rates  per  1,000  occupied  males  living  at  seven  age  groups  from 
15  to  death,  given  on  page  582,  is  based  on  the  Blue  Book  [Cd.  2619], 
published  1908,  and  contained  in  pages  3  to  159  of  that  book. 

The  tables  put  in  show  the  age  distribution  of  the  years  of  life 
exposed  to  risk  and  death  (p.  82,  Blue  Book  [Cd.  2619]). 

The  comparison  is  not  unfavorable  to  occupation  (64).  Plumber 
and  painter  and  glazier  (p.  106),  Blue  Book.  (See  pp.  584-585  of  the 
Evidence,  Vol.  IV,  of  this  report.) 

In  the  comparative  mortality  figure  (Table  F),  pages  587  and  588, 
plumber,  painter,  and  glazier  is  fourth  from  the  bottom. 

The  figures  for  all  occupied  males  in  industrial  districts  arc  1,122, 
London  districts  1,099,  plumber  and  painter  1,041. 

In  Table  H  the'mean  annual  death  rate  per  1,000  of  living  painters 
and  plumbers  compare  favorably  at  all  ages  with  rates  of  occupied 
males  in  London  and  the  other  industrial  districts  of  the  country. 

Mr.  Schooling,  in  his  evidence,  expressed  the  opinion  that  the  elim- 
ination of  the  lead  risk  would  not  aftect  the  death  rate,  and  taking  the 
figures  of  deaths  from  lead  poisoning,  1900-1909,  as  293,  or  29.3  per 
annum,  and  distributing  them  over  150,000  occupied  painters,  we 
have  the  low  incidence  of  1  death  for  every  5,120  persons.  Statistic- 
ally, it  would  hardly  affect  the  mortality  rates. 

THE  INCIDENCE  OF  "CASES"  OR  ATTACKS. 

Dr.  Legge's  estimate,  based  on  the  proportion  of  deaths  to  attacks 
in  factory  occupations,  gives  7,205  "  cases"  of  lead  poisoning  amongst 
painters  in  the  10  years,  1900-1909,    i.  e.,  720.5  cases  per  annum 

1  Page  and  table  references  in  this  section  are  to  other  volumes  of  the  original  report. 


DANGER  IK   USE   OF   LEAD  IN   THE   PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.      157 

amongst  150,000,  an  attack  rate  of  4.8  per  1,000  per  annum,  but  it 
must  be  remembered  that  the  figures  of  the  "cases,"  as  distinct  from 
the  deaths,  are  estimated,  and  calculated  on  the  ratio  of  "cases"  to 
"fatals"  which  obtain  in  other  lead  industries,  subject  to  factory 
supervision  in  which  returns  have  to  be  made. 

Further,  of  the  "  cases"  of  lead  poisoning  per  annum,  many  may  be 
headache,  stomach  pains  (colic),  slight  or  serious,  and  many  of  these 
"cases"  assumed  to  be  lead  poisoning  may  arise  from  the  effects  of 
the  vehicles  used — oil  and  turpentine  and  the  driers;  but  positive  and 
exact  data  of  sickness  figures  on  which  to  found  sound  calculation  is 
wanting. 

COMPARISON  WITH  INDUSTRIES  UNDER  SUPERVISION. 

The  table  on  page  120  of  the  majority  report  shows  the  attack  rate 
for  lead  poisoning  in  the  scheduled  industries  under  the  Factory  and 
Workshop  Act.  Taking  the  average  over  all  these,  the  mean  attack 
rate  works  out  at  4.05  per  1,000;  but  if  we  exclude  "printing,"  in 
which  the  rate  is  very  low  indeed,  and  in  which  large  numbers  do  not 
come  into  any  considerable  contact  with  lead,  the  average  of  the 
other  nine  scheduled  trades  is  8.3,  as  against  4.8  per  1,000  for  house 
painters. 

It  has  to  be  borne  in  mind  that,  though  there  is  plenty  of  variety  in 
a  painter's-work,  he  is  in  contact  with  lead  at  intervals  over  the  whole 
period  of  his  working  time. 

It  is  a  general  impression  that  painters  lose  many  months  in  a  year 
through  slackness  of  work;  this  may  be  true  of  tne  unskilled  work- 
man, but  the  unemployment  returns  of  the  largest  society  of  opera- 
tive painters  in  the  United.  Kingdom,  embodying  skilled  workmen, 
does  not  average  three  weeks  in  a  year  over  the  whole  membership. 

THE   SOURCE   OF  THE  EVIL— LEAD   DUST  AND  DRY  RUBBING  DOWN. 

It  is  established  by  the  evidence  of  the  medical  authorities  who 
have  been  before  the  committee,  that  the  great  source  of  the  danger 
resides  in  the  lead  dust  created  by  sandpapering  and  dry  rubbing 
down.     (See  Mr.  Goadby's  evidence,  22006,  22040,  22041.) 

This  (the  dust)  is  common  ground  in  all  lead  industries  under 
regulations. 

Dr.  Legge,  H.  M.  medical  inspector  of  factories,  ascribes  to  dry  rub- 
bing down  the  great  source  of  tne  trouble  in  painting  operations. 

This  testimony  is  supported  by  that  of  Dr.  Kaup,  Germany;  Dr. 
Rambousek,  Austria;  Dr.  Collis,  a  member  of  the  commit  lee:  Mr. 
Kenneth  Goadby,  an  authority  on  lead  poisoning;  and  Dr.  Dob! tie, 
of  the  Government  laboratory. 

Dr.  Legge  further  says  that  lead  poisoning  can  not  come  through  the 
skin  by  way  of  absorption,  and  he  questions  whether  it  can  come 
through  a  cut  (Q.  80),  and  Mr.  Goadby  doubts  whether  it  could,  in  the 
normal  way  of  trade  occupation,  come  through  the  alimentary  canal 
(22063),  all  of  which  conclusions  definitely  curtail  the  area  of  danger. 

PERSONAL  CLEANLINESS  NOT  NEGLIGIBLE  BUT  SUBORDINATE 

Personal  cleanliness  is  very  desirable,  but  Dr.  Legge  thinks  the 
danger  from  this  source  (inattention  to  cleanliness)  slight  compared 

with  the  danger  from  the  dust  produced  by  dry  rubbing  down  ;  in  this 


158  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

he  is  supported  by  Mr.  Goadby  and  the  other  medical  and  scientific 
witnesses. 

"Very  little  trouble  is  brought  about  by  not  washing  hands."  Mr.  Goadby.    (2205G.) 
Replying  to  Mr.  Kice  as  to  the  provision  for  cleanliness,  Dr.  Legge  said,  "My  feeling 
about  that  always  is  this,  that  unless  you  can  go  to  the  fountain  head  of  the  mischief, 
the  dust,  and  stop  that,  you  are  not  going  to  secure  much  improvement  by  all  the  per- 
sonal cleanliness  in  the  world."     (273.) 

The  clanger  from  lead  dust  settling  on  the  clothes  and  afterwards 
being  distributed  in  the  air  and  inhaled,  slight  though  it  is,  is  depend- 
ent on  the  same  source  of  origin — the  dry  rubbing  down  of  lead  paint. 

No  danger  of  lead  dust  can  attach  to  the  workman's  jacket  hanging 
in  the  paint  shop,  for  there  is  no  lead  dust  there.  All  the  lead  there 
is  in  paste  or  paint  form,1  and  "  lead  "  emanations  are  not  given  off. 

The  same  argument  holds  to  the  taking  of  meals  in  the  paint  shop 
(it  is  only  in  occasional  instances  that  this  is  necessary) ;  if  the  hands 
are  kept  clean,  no  danger  arises,  because  there  is  no  lead  dust  present, 
and  "iead  emanations  are  not  given  off." 

I  am  not  recommending  these  places  as  mess  rooms.  In  the  great 
majority  of  cases  in  house  painters'  work  there  are  alternative  rooms, 
but  only  pointing  out  that  in  the  few  cases  where  it  does  happen,  the 
danger  of  lead  poisoning,  indicated  by  the  questions  put  to  most  wit- 
nesses on  these  points,  would  not  arise  (if  dry  rubbing  down  were 
abolished)  if  we  are  to  take  the  medical  and  scientific  evidence  as  true. 

According  to  Mr.  Kenneth  Goadby — 

Dry  rubbing  down  is  the  main  source  of  lead  dust.     (22006.) 

The  only  danger  of  lead  poisoning  arises  from  the  dust.     (22040.) 

If  dry  rubbing  down  is  prevented  the  danger  is  obviated.     (22041.) 

No  absorption  through  the  skin.     (22053.) 

Absorption  through  the  alimentary  canal  very  small  indeed  compared  with  the  dust 
danger.     (22063.) 

Hot  water  for  washing  not  important.     (22063.) 

Medical  information  not  sufficientlv  precise  to  determine  the  prohibition  of  white 
lead.     (22008.) 

OTHER  POSSIBLE  SOURCES. 

The  other  possible  sources  of  lead  dust  in  the  painting  trade  outside 
these  are  very  slight. 

In  this  country  white  lead  is  supplied  to  painters  in  paste  form, 
ground  in  oil,  and  can  not,  therefore,  be  a  source  of  dust  except  by 
rubbing  down  after  application  as  a  paint. 

The  practice,  until  recently  common  on  the  Continent,  of  master 
painters  buying  their  white  lead  dry  and  grinding  it  in  their  own  shops, 
is  to-day  unknown  in  the  United  Kingdom.  It  has  been  obsolete  for 
more  than  a  generation. 

Dry  white  lead  is  sometimes  used  by  house  painters  to  make  "white 
lead  putty"  for  stopping  purposes,  occasionally  for  mixing  a  paste 
for  affixing  canvas  to  walls  or  boards,  but  these  two  outlets  affect  so 
minute  an  amount  of  material  that  they  can  readily  be  dispensed  with 
without  any  inconvenience. 

1  Red  lead:  If  any  is  in  the  paint  shop  it  is  there  only  in  small  quantities,  and  in  thousands  of  cases  it  is 
not  there  at  all. 


DAXGER   IX    USE   OF   LEAD  IN    THE    PAINTING   OF   BUILDINGS.      159 
THE  IMMUNITY  OF  SCOTLAND. 

Painters  in  Scotland,  on  the  testimony  of  Dr.  Legge,  are  practically 
immune  from  lead  poisoning  outside  the  Glasgow  area,  and  even  there 
it  is  comparatively  slight  (12  cases  in  five  years)  and  20  "cases," 
including  Glasgow,  over  the  whole  country  for  the  same  period  of 
time.1     (Q.  153.) 

This  is  sustained  by  the  evidence  submitted  by  Mr.  Archibald 
Gardner  in  1907  to  the  departmental  committee  on  building  accidents. 
(Cd.  3848,  p.  59.) 

"I  commenced  to  work  at  the  trade  in  1S7S  and  during  the  whole  of  my  experience 
I  have  only  come  across  two  cases;  that  is,  two  cases  which  have  come  under  my  per- 
sonal observation."     (171G.) 

"We  have  had  so  few  cases  of  lead  poisoning  that  we  do  not  think  many  precautions 
are  necessary."     (1729.) 

"Well,  we  have  so  few  cases  of  lead  poisoning,  but  it  should  be  recommended, "  i.  e., 
the  provision  of  soap  and  towels.     (1735.) 

These  very  definite  answers  of  a  man  of  Mr.  Gardner's  experience 
are  confirmatory  of  Dr.  Legge's  opinion. 

Mr.  McKillop  and  Mr.  Arthur  Smith  came  before  the  committee  to 
give  evidence  on  the  prevalence  of  lead  poisoning  in  Scotland;  the 
evidence  of  both  witnesses  was  of  the  most  straightforward  character, 
but  in  the  case  of  Mr.  McKillop,  who  is  secretary  of  the  Edinburgh 
branch  of  operative  painters,  with  550  members,  he  had  amongst  his 
members  only  one  case  of  lead  poisoning  in  10  years,  for  which  com- 

Eensation  was  paid  (for  eight  weeks) ;  all  the  other  cases  cited  by 
im  were  "only  general  conversations."  (20963.) 
Mr.  Arthur  Smith  is  an  official  of  the  Aberdeen  branch  of  the  Oper- 
ative Painters'  Society.  Mr.  Smith's  evidence  of  lead  poisoning 
related  to  live  cases,  none  of  them  occurring  in  his  own  branch  (one 
of  them  in  America);  all  of  the  men  were  working  to-day  and  two  of 
them  were  over  70  years  of  age.  Mr.  Smith  himself  when  working 
in  London  had  suffered  for  three  days  from  an  attack  of  colic. 

From  a  close  knowledge  of  the  painting  trade  and  the  painters  of 
Scotland,  I  know  that  the  work  is  done  in  a  thorough  manner,  and 
the  methods  of  preparation  and  finishing  (using  dry  rubbing  down,  as 
a  regular  process  of  their  trade  in  the  same  manner  as  in  England) 
are  as  exacting  as  in  any  part  of  the  kingdom,  and  yet,  notwithstand- 
ing this,  lead  poisoning  outside  Glasgow  is  almost  unknown  and  neg- 
ligible. Some  of  the  leading  master  painters  in  Scotland  came  before 
the  committee  and  testified  that  in  their  experience  (hey  had  not 
known  a  case  of  lead  poisoning,  which  confirms  the  (•pinion  of  Dr. 
Legge  as  to  the  slightness  of  the  rate  of  attack,  yet  in  all  cases  (ho 
lead  is  the  same,  and  the  thinners  employed,  linseed  oil  and  turpen- 
tine, are  the  same  as  in  England. 

>  Theso  were  cases  voluntarily  reported. 


160  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

SOURCES  OF  LEAD  POISONING. 

OTHER  ALLEGED  SOURCES  OF  LEAD  POISONING— LEAD  EMANATIONS 
FROM  DRYING  PAINT  AND  FROM  FUMES  CAUSED  BY  BURNING  OFF 
OLD  PAINT. 

The  committee  investigated  the  question  of  the  possibility  of  lead 

f>oisoning  arising  from  paint  in  the  course  of  drying,  and  from  the 
umes  arising  from  burning  off  old  paint. 

The  question  of  the  oil  and  turpentine  used  in  the  mixing  of  paint 
is  not  specifically  mentioned  in  the  reference  appointing  the  committee, 
but  the  inquiry,  if  it  has  accomplished  nothing  else,  has  evolved  a 
large  body  of  most  valuable  evidence  on  the  subject,  which  in  its 
bearing  on  the  question  of  the  use  of  paint  can  not  be  ignored. 

It  is  only  in  recent  years  that  the  attention  of  scientists  has  been 
directed  to  this  aspect  of  the  paint  question,  and  it  is  one  that  is 
quite  independent  of  the  pigment  employed. 

SICKNESS  FROM  NEW  PAWT. 

It  is  common  knowledge  that  the  smell  of  wet  or  new  paint  se- 
riously affects  certain  people,  causing  sickness  and  nausea. 

The  question  to  be  solved  was,  is  this  sickness  (as  some  thought) 
due  to  the  drying  paint  giving  off  volatile  emanations  containing 
lead  compounds?  Or  is  it  due  to  other  emanations  not  lead? — a 
vital  point  to  determine. 

The  French  commission  which  conducted  the  inquiry  that  pre- 
ceded the  passing  of  the  law  prohibiting  the  use  of  white  lead  in 
France,  relied  largely  on  the  conclusions  of  its  medical  and  scientific 
witnesses,  Dr.  Heim,  Dr.  Hebert,  and  M.  Jules  le  Breton,  who  con- 
ducted experiments  on  behalf  of  the  Government.  These  gentlemen 
decided  that  volatile  lead  was  thrown  off  paint  in  the  process  of 
drying. 

These  conclusions  were  dissented  from  by  Prof.  Armand  Gauticr, 
who  stated  that  rooms  painted  with  white  lead  paint  do  not  emit 
either  lead  emanations  or  lead  dust. 

M.  Jules  le  Breton,  the  rapporteur  to  the  commission,  stated  that 
by  means  of  Trillat's  reagent  he  had  been  able  to  detect  the  presence 
of  lead  in  the  vapors  given  off  by  white  lead  paint,  but  M.  Trillat, 
who  at  the  request  of  M.  le  Breton  repeated  these  experiments,  was 
unable  to  confirm  this  conclusion. 

At  an  early  stage  of  the  Home  Office  inquiry,  Prof.  Baly,  of  Liver- 
pool University,  appeared  before  the  committee  and  submitted  evi- 
dence corroborative  of  the  conclusions  of  the  French  experts. 

At  the  outset  of  the  inquiry  it  was  assumed  that  the  results  of  the 
experiment  made  by  Prof.  Baly  and  the  conclusions  on  these  points 
of  the  French  experts,  M.  Heim,  and  M.  Hebert,  contained  in  the 
report  of  the  French  commission,  were  correct. 

The  evidence  submitted  by  Mr.  C.  A.  Klein,  Prof.  Armstrong,  Mr. 
Goadby,  and  Dr.  Dobbie,  of  the  Government  laboratory,  as  the  result 
of  their  exhaustive  and  separate  experiments,  proved  that  neither 
Prof.  Baly's  nor  the  French  tests  could  be  maintained. 

Sickness  and  nausea  and  other  distressing  complaints,  but  not 
lead  poisoning,  may  arise  from  emanations  and  fumes  of  paint. 


DANGER  IN   USE   OF  LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.      161 

Many  of  the  symptoms  of  lead  poisoning,  nausea,  headache,  dizziness, 
stomach  pains,  etc.,  on  the  evidence  of  Mr.  Goadby  and  others,  may 
be  produced  by  paint  in  which  there  is  no  lead,  and  may  be  mistaken 
for  lead  poisoning. 

Many  of  these  symptoms  are  produced  by  the  vapors  which  are 
given  off  from  the  oil  and  turpentine  in  the  mixing  and  drying  of  the 
paint. 

EMANATIONS— FORMIC  ALDEHYDE. 

Paint  containing  drying  oil  gives  off  vapors  containing  formalde- 
hyde, formic  and  other  organic  bodies.  This  is  common  to  all  paint 
containing  such  vehicles,  leadless  or  otherwise,  and  this,  on  the  medi- 
cal testimony  placed  before  the  committee,  whilst  wholesome  in  the 
destruction  of  bacteria,  is  hurtful  to  the  operatives  using  the  paint, 
and  may  be  the  source  of  many  of  the  complaints  and  "cases"  which 
now  are  attributed  to  lead. 

PROF.  E.  C.  C.  BALY  (SECOND  APPEARANCE). 

Do  these  experiments  lead  inevitably  to  the  conclusion  that  there  is  no  lead  in  the 
emanations? — Yes,  I  think  I  can  say  that,  certainly.     (17013.) 

Your  further  experiment  really  disposes  of  your  first  evidence? — Yes,  as  regards 
volatile  lead,  but  nothing  more  than  that.  I  was  wrong,  I  confess,  but  I  was  misled 
somewhat  by  the  doctors  and  somewhat  by  our  own  tests.     (17027. ) 

Should  we  have  to  revise  our  vocabulary  as  to  poisoning  from  paint? — I  think  so,  I 
think  that  there  is  a  certain  amount  of  poisoning  which  arises  from  these  aldehydes 
without  any  connection  with  lead,  as  lead.     (17043.) 

DR.  DOBBIE. 

Dr.  Dobbie,  the  principal  chemist  to  the  Government  laboratory, 
undertook  on  behalf  of  the  committee  to  test  the  suggestions  con- 
tained in  Prof.  Baly's  first  evidence,  and  the  reliability  of  the  experi- 
ments of  the  French  commissioners'  experts  re  emanations  giving  off 
ead. 

His  conclusions  arc  that: 

No  volatile  emanations  containing  lead,  from  dying  [drying]  paint.     (22500.) 

Drying  paint  not  a  possible  source  of  lead  poisoning.     (22513.) 

Formic  acid  and  formic  aldehyde  come  off  zinc  as  well  as  lead  paints.     (22518.) 

Trillat's  reagent  is  unreliable.     (22503.) 

Should  not  weigh  with  the  committee.     (22504.) 

The  evidence  submitted  by  Mr.  Goadby,  Prof.  Armstrong,  Mr.  C.  A. 
Klein,  is  sustained  entirely  by  Dr.  Dobbie's  conclusions,  as  is  set  out 
in  the  majority  report. 

THE  TESTIMONY  OF  THE  OFFICE  OF  WORKS. 

THE  OFFICE  OF  WORKS. 

A  prolific  source  of  questions  which,  in  my  opinion,  diverted  (lie 
inquiry  into  wrong  channels  and  led  the  majority  of  the  committee 
to  what  1  regard  as  a  mistaken  conclusion,  was  the  assumption  that 
the  office  of  works  had  solved  the  problem  for  the  community  of  dis- 
pensing with  white  lead  paint  by  the  use  at  the  post  offices,  Kensing- 
ton savings  bank,  etc.,  of  a  well-known  varnish  paint. 

With  all  due  respect  to  the  opinion  of  an  important  Government 
department  in  a  matter  of  this  kind,  affecting  n  ;  it  does  so  largely  the 

25235°— Bull.  188—10 11 


162  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

interest  of  the  community,  such  testimony  must  be  judged  by  the 
same  standards  of  evidence  as  apply  to  ordinary  folk. 

It  is  the  more  necessary  to  keep  this  in  mind,  because  at  a  very  early 
stage  of  the  inquiry,  in  the  questions  put  from  the  chair  to  the  wit- 
nesses, it  was  assumed,  and  that  on  the  bare  statement  of  Mr.  Patter- 
son without  any  corroboration,'  that  the  question  of  alternatives  and 
substitutes  for  white  lead  had  been  solved  by  the  experience  or  ex- 
periments of  H.  M.  office  of  works. 

This  assumption,  in  my  opinion,  colored  the  whole  inquiry,  and  its 
importance  must  be  my  apology  for  devoting  so  large  a  space  to  con- 
sidering the  value  of  the  evidence  submitted. 

In  my  review  of  the  evidence  of  the  office  of  works  I  wish  to  dis- 
claim any  intention  of  attacking  Mr.  Patterson  personally;  I  have  no 
cause  to  do  so.  I  have  only  endeavored  to  show  that  his  evidence  is 
inadequate  to  build  upon  it  sucli  conclusions  as  the  committee  has 
come  to,  and  my  comments  go  no  further  than  this. 

ANY  SUBSTITUTE  FOR  WHITE  LEAD  MUST  BE  IMPERSONAL. 

I  would  respectfully  lay  down  this  proposition,  that  as  white  load 
is  an  impersonal  product,  so  any  suggested  substitutes  or  alternatives 
must  partake  of  the  same  impersonal  character,  and  be  divorced  from 
particular  firms. 

THE  TWO  ALTERNATIVE  WHITES. 

The  only  two  alternative  white  pigments  to  white  lead  are  zinc  oxide 
and  lithopone.  These,  like  white  lead,  arc  impersonal  products,  in 
the  sense  that  both  or  either  can  be  bought  under  its  generic  name 
and  apart  from  the  name  of  the  maker,  and  the  standard  of  quality 
can  be  specified  and  exacted  as  a  condition  of  sale  or  purchase.  There 
arc  brands  of  zinc  oxide  and  lithopone  which  may  carry  a  preferential 
claim  on  the  open  market  for  their  particular  merit;  but  that  is  only 
the  open  claim  of  excellence  of  quality;  they  still  remain  in  the  cate- 
gory of  impersonal  and  basic  materials. 

But  in  accepting  and  placing  reliance  on  the  testimony  of  the  office 
of  works,  this  important  and  fundamental  distinetion  has  not,  in  my 
opinion,  been  sufficiently  considered,  because  the  whole  experience 
01  the  office  of  works  rests  exclusively  on  what  is  known  as  "ready 
mixed"  proprietary  paints,  and  those  of  two  or  three  firms  only. 

PROPRIETARY  PAINTS. 

Proprietary  paints  should  have  had  no  locus  standi  in  an  inquiry 
such  as  the  committee  was  charged  with,  and  I  submit  that  no  con- 
clusions that  should  have  weight  with  Parliament  can  be  deduced 
from  the  evidence  tendered  by  Mr.  Patterson  on  behalf  of  the  office  of 
works. 

As  a  matter  of  procedure,  all  that  the  office  of  works  did  in  their 
so-called  experiments  (which  were  put  before  the  master  painters 
who  came  before  the  committee  as  so  conclusive  that  they  admitted 
of  no  cavil)  was  to  advertise  for  paints  to  be  sent  in. 

These  were  received  and  tested  on  iron  plates  and  other  surfaces, 
and  on  the  results  obtained  certain  "brands"  were  approved  and 
adopted. 

1  Except  that  of  Sir  ITenry  Tanner,  given  Nov.,  1912,  towards  the  close  of  the  inquiry. 


DANGER  IN    USE   OF   LEAD  IN   THE   PAINTING    OF   BUILDINGS.      163 

This  may  be,  and  no  doubt  is,  perfectly  satisfactory  to  the  office  of 
works  for  their  own  requirements.  I  am  not  questioning  this  for  one 
moment,  but  it  does  not  go  beyond  that,  and  I  submit  that  it  has  no 
bearing  whatever  on  the  question  the  committee  was  instructed  to 
inquire  into. 

LIMITED  EXPERIENCE. 

The  limited  experience  of  the  office  of  works  in  paints  is  revealed 
in  Mr.  Patterson's  answer  to  question  12916: 

"Do  you  use  flatting  paints?" — "Only  occasionally.  Our  specifica- 
tion is  for  glossy  paints." 

As  every  architect  and  decorator  knows,  an  enormous  proportion 
of  interior  work  is  finished  with  flatting  paints,  and  the  office  of  works 
glossy  paints  would  not  satisfy  the  requirements  of  the  decorating 
trade  or  of  their  customers,  nor  meet  the  standard  of  any  aesthetic 
requirements.  At  the  South  Kensington  savings  bank  buildings,  to 
which  Mr.  Patterson  attached  great  importance,  and  where  "lead 
paints"  and  "zinc  paints"  were  used,  there  was  the  same  absence  of 
any  scientific  method  or  plan,  and  the  same  simple  adherence  to  pro- 
prietary paints  made  by  two  or  three  particular  firms.  In  Mr.  Pat- 
terson's words:  "The  lead  paints  and  the  zinc  paints  were  the  same 
brand  of  paints,"  i.e.,  made  by  the  same  firm,  and  sold  as  their  par- 
ticular brand  of  paint. 

NO  SPECIFICATION  BY-  THE   OFFICE  OF  WORKS. 

Referring  to  the  1906  test  plates,  Mr.  Patterson  said: 

Those  paints  that  were  put  on  were  from  all  comers.  They  were  not  supplied  to  any 
specification  of  ours,  but  every  caller  who  chose  to  come  and  say:  "We  should  be  ?lad 
to  have  our  paint  tried,  will  you  put  it  on?  "  had  it  put  on.     (12962. ) 

Do  I  understand  that  you  do  not  specify  definite  proportions  of  oil  and  varnish  and 
driers  separately? — We  do  not,  we  wanted  carefully  to  guard  ourselves  from  the  posi- 
I  hat  we  were  dictating  to  the  manufacturers.  We  wanted  to  leave  manufacturers 
as  far  as  possible  with  a  free  hand;  we  wanted  to  gain  the  benefit  of  any  experience 
they  might  have  had.  Our  specification  was  given  as  a  general  one,  and  not  as  a  defi- 
nite something  to  which  everybody  must  toe  the  line  to  a  fraction.     (12903.) 

Again,  Mr.  Patterson: 

We  have,  however,  to  deal  with  lead  paints  as  they  are  presented  to  us  on  the  market, 
and  we  take  the  various  makers  as  they  come  to  us. 

NO  RECORDS. 

ITave  you  a  record  showing  the  conditions  of  the  paint  of  the  post  office  savings  bank 
buildings,  and  the  condition  of  the  paint  of  the  buildings  which  have  been  painted 
under  your  superintendence? — No.     1  have  no  records.    (22798. 1 

Why  has  no  record  been  kept'.'— We  have  too  much  to  do  to  allow  of  making  any 
unnecessary  records.     (22800.) 

Now  vim  sav  ihat  you  mixed  some  Bamples  painl  -  yourself  from  zinc  and  lea  I? — 
Zinc.     (22880.") 

That  will  do.     Have  yon  the  formulas  of  those  mixtures?     \"o.     (22881 .  - 

No  records  whatever?— No.  I  can  tell  you  roughly  whal  1  was  after  and  what  they 
were.     (22882. 

Such  evidence  would  not  be  accepted  as  satisfactory  by  any  scien- 
tific body. 
I  am  not  questioning  Mr.  Patterson's  judgment  on  the  paints  with 

which  ho  is  satisfied  as  suitable  for  his  depart  menl ,  but  1  <lo  respect- 
fully submit  that  his  evidence  does  not  go  beyond  his  personal  opin- 
ion, that  in  no  way  can  it  be  regarded  as  scientific  evidence,  or  as 


164  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUEEAU    OF    LABOE    STATISTICS. 

proving  anything  more  than  that  the  paints  satisfied  him  and  his 
principals. 

The  office  of  works  never  developed  a  formula  of  their  own  for 
either  lead  or  zinc  paints. 

All  that  they  did  was  to  have  the  paints  which  suited  them  analyzed, 
and  then  adopt  the  analysis  as  their  "specification." 

They  kept  no  records  of  the  paints  except  the  analysis,  because 
they  are  too  busy  for  making  unnecessary  records. 

They  have  no  evidence  as  to  the  bearing  of  these  paints  on  the 
health  of  the  workmen;  "the  contractor  takes  the  burden  of  that." 

Their  paints  are  mainly — 
(a)  Varnish  paints. 
(6)  Enamels. 
(c)  Proprietary  paints. 

These  particular  makes  of  paints  have  been  known  for  many  years, 
through  the  advertisement  columns  of  the  building  papers;  hundreds 
of  His  Majesty's  subjects  are  familiar  with  them,  but  no  one  ever 
dreamed  for  a  moment  that  here  was  a  solution  of  the  white-lead 
question. 

The  manufacturers  of  these  proprietary  paints  are  reputable  firms, 
but  they  do  not  exhaust  the  scientific  enterprise  and  skill  of  the  paint 
industry,  nor  would  they  claim  to  do  so.  The  number  of  ready- 
mixed  proprietary  paints  on  the  market  are  to  be  counted  by  the 
score,  tne  makers  of  which  would  not  admit  any  inferiority  to  the  two 
or  three  brands  adopted  by  the  office  of  works,  and  their  contention 
would  be  upheld  by  the  trade  and  others.  Yet  in  fact,  if  not  in  form, 
so  far  as  conclusions  are  based  on  the  experience  of  the  office  of  works, 
the  paints  of  these  two  or  three  firms,  supplied  to  the  office  of  works, 
are  singled  out  as  having  solved  the  white  lead  problem. 

A  BETTER  WAY. 

If  the  office  of  works  had  bought  their  own  ingredients,  detached 
from  any  particular  firm  or  firms,  and  mixed  them  themselves,  if  they 
had  carefully  recorded  their  formulas  and  their  inspection  results  over 
a  long  period  of  time,  and  had  them  adjudicated  upon  by  independent 
experts,  their  evidence  would  have  been  entitled  to  serious  considera- 
tion, but  as  it  was  presented  to  the  committee  it  has,  in  my  opinion, 
no  value  whatever  tor  the  purpose  of  this  inquiry. 

The  paints  used  by  the  office  of  works  have  this  feature,  which 
separates  them  from  ordinary  paints;  they  are  all  varnish  paints,  or 
enamels. 

The  two  more  expensive  grades  cited  would  come  under  the  cate- 
gory of  enamels,  though  only  one  is  so  specified,  and  it  is  not  reason- 
able to  classify  them  as  '"paints." 

PAINT,  NOT  ENAMEL. 

It  is  essential  for  a  clear  apprehension  of  the  position  to  discrim- 
inate between  what  is  known  as  enamel  and  what  is  generally  under- 
stood as  paint. 

Enamels  are  all  made  from  special  materials,  special  oils  and  var- 
nishes and  the  formula  of  their  ingredients  and  manufacture  are  the 
secrets  of  the  proprietors. 


DANGER  IN   USE   OF   LEAD  IN  THE   PAINTING  OF  BUILDINGS.      165 

Varnish  paints  are  made  of  inferior  and  cheaper  materials,  and  are 
also  based  on  secret  formulas. 

Paint  in  the  generally  accepted  use  of  the  term  is  a  substance  mixed 
from  ordinary  pigments,  to  which  are  added  oil  and  turpentine  for 
thinning  purposes,  and  dryers  to  make  it  dry. 

The  great  bulk  of  the  paint  used  in  this  country  is  entirely  innocent 
of  varnish. 

The  paints  put  forward  in  the  table  of  comparative  tests  of  lead 
and  leadless  paints  which  were  submitted  to  the  committee  were 
simply  "proprietary  paints";  even  the  lead  paints  were  of  the  same 
character,  and  one  paint  supplied  to  H.  M.  office  of  works  as  lead 
paint,  in  the  analysis  had  not  a  trace  of  lead  in  it.     (See  12962.) 

Analysis  of  office  of  ivories. — Stone-color  "Lead  paint." 

Oxide  of  iron 7. 19 

Barium  sulphate 52.  06 

Vehicle 38.  00 

Lead Nil. 

This  could  never  have  happened  if  the  office  of  works  had  mixed 
their  own  paints. 

The  generous  percentage  of  vehicle  3S.0  conveys  no  information 
as  to  the  amount  of  varnish  incorporated;  this  is  a  feature  common 
to  all  the  analyses  of  the  office  of  works  paints,  yet  it  is  the  essential 
point;  the  analysis  is  further  incomplete  by  3  per  cent. 

It  is  not  unreasonable  to  say  that  such  "evidence"  as  a  serious 
contribution  to  the  comparative  value  of  white  lead  and  zinc  oxido, 
on  which  the  committee  could  found  conclusions  from  a  scientific 
point  of  view,  is  worthless. 

Further,  whatever  value  there  is  in  this  testimony,  it  rests  entirely 
on  the  word  of  Mr.  G.  D.  Patterson,  one  of  the  clerks  of  works  under 
Sir  Henry  Tanner. 

If  the  recommendation  of  the  committee  be  adopted  and  the  use 
of  the  white  lead  abolished,  it  appears  to  me  it  will  be  done  on  the 
grounds  that  an  efficient  substitute  is  available.  The  proof  of  this 
rests  largely  on  the  mere  statement  of  a  Government  official  who  is 
neither  a  scientist  nor  a  practical  painter,  and  who  has  no  knowledge 
whether  these  paints  are  hurtful  to  the  workman  or  not. 

In  an  issue  involving  such  large  consequences  to  the  community 
as  would  be  the  case  if  the  use  of  white  load  be  prohibited,  a  more 
definite  proof  should  have  been  demanded. 

LEAD  FREELY  USED  BY  THE  OFFICE  OF  WORKS. 

It  was  proved  that  at  the  very  time  when  Mr.  Patterson  was  assert- 
ing to  the  committee  that  the  office  of  works  had  abandoned  the  use 
of  white  lead,  that  in  May,  1911,  no  loss  than  5  tons  of  white  lead 
were  used  on  the  Menai  suspension  bridge,  under  the^ control  of  the 
office  of  works;  and  an  equal  amount  on  buildings  in  the  London 
area,  including  Buckingham  Palace,  St.  James's  Palace,  etc.  (See 
Qs.  12901,  13081.) 

Mr.  Patterson  later  on  explained  to  the  committee  that  a  largo 
amount  of  this  lead  used  in  the  London  area  was  used  for  bedding 
window  and  door  frames.  The  deliveries  of  this  lead  on  to  different 
jobs  was  always  accompanied  by  the  necessary  oil  and  turpentine, 


166  BULLETIN    OF    THE    BUREAU    OF    LABOR    STATISTICS. 

to  make  it  into  paint,  and  it  was  always  specified  to  ho  genuine  white 
lead,  which  is  quite  superfluous  for  bedding  purposes. 

PROPRIETARY  PAINTS. 

Mr.  Patterson's  experience  in  "leadless"  paints,  therefore,  rests 
entirely  on  ready  mixed  "proprietary  paints"  supplied  by  certain 
firms,  and  of  which  the  constituents  are  not  disclosed  except  by 
analysis. 

For  the  best  decorative  work,  which  amounts  annually  to  a  very 
large  volume  of  trade,  these  ready-mixed  varnish  paints  are  entirely 
unsuitable,  and  not  comparable  to  the  paint  mixed  by  the  trained 
painter  for  his  particular  work. 

These  ready-mixed  paints  depend  for  their  durability  on  the  var- 
nish which  is  mixed  with  them,  and  the  life  of  the  varnish  is  the  life 
of  the  paint. 

It  should  be  impossible  to  recommend  the  prohibition  of  white 
lead  to  Parliament  on  the  basis  of  proprietary  paints.  These  may 
be  all  that  their  owners  claim  for  them,  but  to  ask  Parliament  to 
abolish  a  pigment  so  universal  and  impersonal  as  white  lead  for  a 
particular  make  or  makes  of  paint,  would  be  to  set  up  a  monopoly, 
which  is  not  conceivable. 

If  I  lay  stress  on  the  evidence  of  the  office  of  works,  I  do  so  because 
in  my  opinion,  the  inquiry  was  prejudiced  and  deflected  on  to  wrong 
lines  by  the  committee  attaching  such  importance  to  the  experience 
put  forward,  as  solving  the  question.     It  solves  nothing. 

Men  with  life-long  experience  of  the  trade  and  its  conditions,  and 
in  the  habit  of  conducting  painting  contracts  comparable  with  the 
operations  of  the  office  of  works,  wTere  confronted  with  these  experi- 
ments as  a  final  solution  which  could  not  be  gainsaid,  and  their  reluc- 
tance to  accept  such  a  conclusion,  so  opposed  to  all  their  knowledge 
and  experience,  was  pressed  against  them  as  being  wanting  in  open* 
mindedness. 

Your  answers  will  riot  look  well  in  the  evidence.     (1002.) 
Not  a  fair  answer.     (1004.) 

NO  BEARING  ON  THE  HEALTH  OF  THE  WORKMEN. 

Nor  can  any  conclusion  be  drawn  from  the  experience  of  the  office 
of  works  as  to  the  innocuousness  to  the  workmen  of  their  "leadless" 
paints. 

NO  RECORDS  OF  HEALTH  STATISTICS— "WE  KNOW  NOTHING  OF  IT." 

The  office  of  works  have  no  knowledge  of  this  aspect  of  the  case, 
for  in  reply  to  Dr.  Collis  (Q.  1132):  "Do  you  keep  any  statistics  of 
the  amount  of  illness  that  occurs  amongst  the  workpeople  of  the 
department?"  Mr.  Patterson  said,  "No;  the  contractor  takes  all 
responsibility  for  that  under  the  conditions  of  his  contract;  when  a 
workman  falls  out  of  the  ranks,  we  know  nothing  of  it.  They  have 
to  take  any  burden  in  that  way."  So  that,  so  far  as  the  aspect  of 
the  case  that  is  most  pertinent  to  this  inquiry  is  concerned,  wo  get 
neither  light  nor  leading  from  the  office  of  works. 

Not  only  painters,  but  paint  manufacturers  and  chemists  of  stand- 
ing, were  pointed  to  the  office  of  works  as  exemplars  of  scientific 


DANGER  IX   USE   OF   LEAD  IX   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDIXGS.      167 

enterprise  and  research,  and  they  were  asked  "were  they  not  behind 
the  times." 

Valuable  and  disinterested  evidence  was  tendered  by  Mr.  Holzapfel, 
a  paint  manufacturer  of  Newcastle,  who  appeared  before  the  com- 
mittee to  give  evidence  on  behalf  of  the  paint  manufacturers  of  the 
northeast  coast  (Newcastle  and  Hull). 

Mr.  Holzapfel  has  no  interest  in  white  lead,  his  interests  are  in  zinc 
enamel  paints.  Notwithstanding  this,  Mr.  Holzapfel  told  the  commit- 
tee that  zinc  paint  (not  enamel)  was  not  as  good  as  white  lead  paint, 
and  although  his  firm  employ  25  chemists  constantly  investigating 
paints  of  all  kinds,  the  experiments  of  the  office  of  works  were  pointed 
out  to  him  as  having  solved  the  problem  in  zinc  paints. 

THE  ALTERNATIVES  TO  WHITE  LEAD. 
ALTERNATIVES  TO  WHITE  LEAD. 

"When  we  come  to  the  other  two  white  pigments,  zinc  oxide  and 
lithopone,  the  evidence  shows  they  both  need  fortifying  or  strength- 
ening for  external  work  by  special  oils  or  varnishes,  and  even  then 
they  do  not  give  the  permanence  of  lead. 

Indeed,  as  to  lithopone,  it  is  common  ground  amongst  painters 
and  paint  makers  that,  however  useful  for  inside  painting,  for  out- 
side work  it  is  not  suitable. 

The  community  has  in  white  lead  a  known  and  reasonably  cheap 
pigment  that,  when  mixed  with  linseed  oil  and  turpentine  (common 
and  accessible  articles),  gives  a  sound,  stable,  and  inexpensive  paint 
possessing  qualities  of  permanence  and  protection  for  whatever 
structures  it  is  put  upon.. 

White  lead  is  the  most  useful,  as  it  is  the  most  permanent,  white 
pigment  we  possess  for  external  painting. 

Its  use  as  a  paint  does  not  involve  the  addition  of  varnish  or  special 
oils  to  give  it  stability  for  outside  painting. 

Is  may  discolor  or  darken  more  rapidly  than  zinc  oxide,  but  its 
stability  and  protecting  qualities  remain  unimpaired. 

Zinc  oxide  changes  in  the  same  way  under  sulphuretted  hydro 
acids,  but  as  it  turns  white  it  does  not  show,  though  the  surfa 
broken  through  and  the  protection  impaired. 

ACTION   OF   SULPHURETTED   HYDROGEN   ON   WHITE  LEAD   AND   ZINC 

OXIDE. 

The  charge  frequently  made  against  white  lead  is  that  exposure  to  Bulphu 
hydrogen  gas  produces  discoloration,  a  statement  which  U  obviously  true,  yet.  it  is 
seldom  recorded  that  an  exactly  similar  chflj  place  when  zinc  oxide  is  sub- 

l  to  like  conditions,  though,  of  course,  this  is  not  apparent  owing  (o  the  absence 
of  color  change. 

In  the  case  of  lead  sulphide  there  Is  produced  lead  sulphite  and  sulphate,  both 
practically  insoluble  in  water,  whilst  with  zinc  Bulphate  a  water  soluble  Bulphil  • 
sulphate  is  funned  which  crystallizes  and  is  fatal    to  the  painted  surface.     (C.  A. 
Klein,  16832.) 

It  is  generally  considered  that  sulphuretted  hy<  the  destructive  agenl  to 

which  painted  surfaces  are  exposed,  yet  this  is  entirely  untrue.  Sulphuretted  hydro- 
gen is  a  minor  evil  except  und<  onditions,  such  as  in  the  vicinity  of  chemical 
.  when  it  is  the  product  of  chemh  al  operations  Sulphur  dioxide  is  by  far  the 
most  important  agent,  and  it  is  the  actios  of  this  gas  which  musl  be  considered. 
(C.  A.  Klein,  16 


168  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

The  effect  of  sulphur  dioxide  is  apparent  on  historic  buildings  in  London;  Sir 
Arthur  Church,  in  discussing  the  "Conservation  of  historic  buildings  and  frescoes," 
Bays  that  the  amount  of  sulphuric  acid  poured  annually  into  the  London  atmosphere 
is  estimated  by  Rideal  as  being  between  500,000  and  1,000,000  tons. 

This  is  a  factor  of  great  importance,  and  its  effect  can  shortly  be  stated  to  be  the 
production  of  a  soluble  compound  with  zinc  oxide,  as  against  the  production  of  an 
insoluble  compound  in  the  case  of  lead.     (C.  A.  Klein,  16834.) 

The  Dutch  commission  in  their  report  give  attention  to  this  point 
(Appendix  XXXIV,  p.  69  *)  in  consequence  of  the  failure  of  paints 
containing  zinc,  more  particularly  on  the  zinc  roof  of  the  Palace  of 
Justice  at  Amsterdam.  The  chemical  subcommittee  reported  that 
the  roof  had  been  painted  with  zinc  oxide  paint,  white  lead  paint,  and 
lithopone  paint,  and  it  was  found  that  these  paints,  more  particu- 
larly the  zinc  white  paints,  had  been  especially  affected  in  the  corners. 

In  the  first  sample  of  soot,  0.13  per  cent  of  zinc  was  found,  indicating,  therefore,  that 
the  soot  had  acted  either  on  the  zinc  white  or  on  the  zinc  roof  itself,  which  is  not  sur- 
prising, considering  the  percentage  of  free  sulphurous  and  sulphuric  acid  contained  in 
freshly  fallen  soot. 

The  three  samples  of  zinc  white,  white  lead,  and  lithopone  paint  collected  from  the 
roof  also  contained  sulphates  soluble  in  water. 

For  the  purposes  of  control  the  paints  originally  used  by  the  white  lead  commission 
were  examined  as  to  the  presence  of  soluble  sulphate,  and  it  transpired  that  Silesian 
zinc  white  did  contain  such  soluble  sulphates'  but  old  Dutch  and  German  white 
lead,  zinc  white  containing  lead  and  lithopone,  did  not  contain  them. 

The  conclusion  may  be  drawn  from  the  above  facts  that  the  sulphurous  and  sulphuric 
acid,  respectively,  of  the  soot  acted  on  the  zinc  white  paints  and  changed  these  partly 
into  sulphate  of  zinc-  which  combination,  being  easily  soluble  in  water,  was  probably 
washed  away  by  rain  water. 

As  the  same  agents,  when  acting  on  white  lead  paints,  do  not  form  soluble  sulphate 
of  lead,  it  is  clear  that  in  these  circumstances  zinc  white  paints  are  decidedly  inferior 
to  white  lead  paints. 

Attention  should  further  be  drawn  to  the  high  percentage  of  sulphur  contained  in 
soot,  while  in  the  event  of  all  the  sulphur  not  being  in  the  form  of  sulphate,  the  possi- 
bility is  not  excluded  that  the  sulphur  which  is  not  in  the  form  of  sulphate  will  pass, 
in  the  long  run,  to  that  condition  through  oxidation,  when  it  will  again  have  a  destruc- 
tive effect  on  the  paint. 

Finally,  the  action  of  sulphurous  acid,  sulphuric  acid,  and  moisture  was  also  shown 
experimentally  by  suspending  strips  of  white  lead  and  zinc  white  paint  in  a  damp 
atmosphere  in  which  sulphur  was  burnt. 

After  these  strips  had  been  kept  in  that  atmosphere  during  32  days  they  lost  when 
in  cold  and  warm  water: 

White  lead,  0.03  and  0.05  per  cent,  respectively,  of  white  lead._ 
Flatting  zinc  white,  12.32  and  9.21  per  cent,  respectively,  of  zinc  white. 

The  great  difference  in  the  solubility  of  the  two  kinds  of  paint  clearly  confirms  the 
supposition  above  mentioned. 

These  are  established  scientific  facts,  carefully  checked  and  con- 
trolled, which  entirely  confirm  Mr.  Klein's  conclusions,  and  which,  in 
face  of  the  estimated  amount  of  sulphuric  acid  (between  half  and  one 
million  tons)  poured  annually  into  London,  it  is  not  wise  to  ignore. 
This  conclusion  is  of  fundamental  importance  in  that  it  recognizes  the 
immutable  or  characteristic  chemical  properties  of  the  two  metals, 
lead  and  zinc. 

THE  FINDINGS  OF  THE  (HOME  OFFICE)  1893  COMMITTEE. 

The  departmental  committee  of  1893  said: 

With  regard  to  all  these  so-called  substitutes  (to  white  lead),  the  committee  have 
invariably  found  that  on  close  inquiry  of  persons  competent  to  judge  and  unpreju- 
diced on  either  side,  the  substance  in  question  was  in  some  particulars  inferior,  and 
they  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  there  is  at  present  no  substitute  that  can  take 
the  place  of  carbonate  of  lead  made  by  the  old  Dutch  process.     (Rivet,  15472.) 

i  In  Minutes  of  Evidence,  presented  in  a  separate  volume  of  the  original  report. 


DANGER  IN   USE   OF   LEAD  IN   THE   PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.      169 
THE  POSITION  TO-DAY. 

The  position  to-day  is  exactly  the  same  as  it  was  in  1893,  when  the 
last  departmental  committee  investigated  the  subject. 

The  three  possible  bases  of  white  paint  then  were  white  lead,  zinc 
oxide,  and  lithopone. 

They  are  the  only  three  available  today,  commercially.  The  only 
new  element  in  the  position  is  that  the  value  of  zinc  oxide  and  litho- 
pone is  more  understood,  and  their  use  for  interior  painting  more 
widely  extended  by  reason  of  better  manufacture  and  methods  of 
mixing  with  vehicles. 

It  would  not  be  possible  to  displace  white  lead  for  external  work 
with  any  equally  efficient  material  except  at  enormously  increased  cost. 

The  great  and  distinctive  difference  between  white  lead  and  zinc 
oxide  is  that  in  the  case  of  the  former  the  lead  and  the  linseed  oil  form, 
by  interaction,  a  tenacious  compound  known  as  linoleate  of  lead, 
which  is  neither  lead  nor  oil,  but  a  fusion  of  the  two;  this  has  great 
tensile  strength  in  resisting  atmospheric  influences. 

Zinc  oxide  when  mixed  with  linseed  oil  is  simply  held  in  suspension 
by  the  oil  and  when  once  the  oil  film  is  penetrated,  its  powers  of 
resistance  to  the  weather  and  its  protective  qualities  are  weakened. 

Except  where  special  conditions  prevail,  zinc  oxide  and  lithopone 
may  be  substituted  for  white  lead  for  interior  work,  without  any  ser- 
ious loss  to  the  community. 

VALUE  OF  WHITE  LEAD  TO  BUILDINGS  AND  STRUCTURES. 

The  total  annual  production  of  white  lead  in  this  country  at  its 
source,  i.e.,  the  corroders,  isabout  50,000  tons,  which,  at  £25  ($121.66) 
per  ton,  represents  a  sum  of  £1,250,000  ($6,083,125),  a  relatively 
small  industry. 

Its  importance,  however,  to  the  community  as  a  protector  of  build- 
ings and  structures  of  all  kinds,  whether  of  wood,  iron,  or  plaster,  is 
out  of  all  proportion  to  its  monetary  value;  and  it  is  from  this  point 
of  view  that  the  prohibition  of  its  use  seriously  affects  the  stability 
and  permanence  of  buildings,  in  the  aggregate  worth  very  many  mil- 
lions sterling. 

White  load  can  be  mixed  into  paint  readily  and  easily  by  thousands 
of  painters  who  know  from  a  life's  experience  that  when  they  are  mak- 
ing use  of  it  they  have  a  material  that  has  a  definite  fixed  stability  and 
will  give  a  specific  and  known  protection. 

IMPORTANCE  OF  WHITE  LEAD  FOR  OUTSIDE  WORK. 

For  outside  work  there  is  no  other  white  pigment  so  useful. 

It  does  not  need  the  addition  of  varnish  to  give  it  permanence,  as 
docs  oxide  of  zinc. 

Of  itself,  it  forms  with  the  oil  used  a  homogeneous  compound,  elastic 
and  responsive  to  variations  of  temperature,  which  has  the  elements 
ef  durability  in  its  nature. 

ODO  MARIA  MEISSL. 

The  testimony  of  Mr.  Odo  Meissl,  of  Vienna,  is  very  weighty.  Mr. 
Meissl  is  one  of  the  largest  contractors  for  the  painting  of  structural 
ironwork  in  Europe.     Before  becoming  a  painting  contractor,  he  was 


170  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 


a  chemist,  so  lias  a  scientific  and  practical  knowledge  of  his  materials 
The  evidence  of  a  man  who  for  years,  amongst  his  other  work,  has 
painted  the  large  bridges  crossing  the  Danube,  is  of  a  great  importance. 

GUARANTY  FOR  WHITE  LEAD,  NO  GUARANTY  FOR  ZINC  OXIDE. 

Mr.  Meissl  is  called  upon  to  give  a  five  years'  guaranty  for  all  the 
Government  work  done  by  him  with  white  lead,  and  he  freely  gives  it, 
but  he  will  not  take  any  responsibility  for  external  work  executed 
with  zinc  oxide,  although  he  is  using  it  in  large  quantities  in  his  daily 
practice  for  interior  work.  In  answering  a  question  from  the  chair, 
Mr.  Meissl  stated  that  ho  painted  from  30,000  to  40,000  square  meters 
per  year  with  zinc  oxide,  which  is  a  considerable  amount: 

I  paint  every  year  some  30,000  to  40,000  square  meters  with  zinc  paint  only  by 
express  stipulation  of  the  person  giving  the  order,  but  whenever  I  use  paint  other 
than  lead ,  I  decline  all  responsibility  for  the  durability  of  the  paint.  I  completed  one 
big  contract  for  the  railway  offices  of  Wiela,  and  after  one  year  the  paint  had  to  be 
renewed. 

I  painted  a  large  wooden  fence  at  Voslau  with  zinc  paint,  and  after  one  year,  when 
the  fence  had  to  be  washed,  all  the  zinc  paint  came  off  by  washing  as  if  it  had  been 
chalk.     (13792.) 

Yet  Mr.  Meissl  was  confronted  with  the  "experience"  of  the  office 
of  works  as  refuting  his  life-long  knowledge  of  paint,  and  he  was 
repeatedly  pressed  on  the  point  of — "Had  he  made  any  experiments 
with  zinc  paints?" 

THE  EVIDENCE  OF  MASTER  PAINTERS. 

The  great  weight  of  the  evidence  given  by  master  painters  of  the 
United  Kingdom  and  from  the  Continent  is  in  the  same  direction, 
viz,  that  white  lead  is  far  and  away  the  best  white  pigment  known  to 
them,  and  is  essential  for  external  work.  They  can  rely  upon  it 
to  do  good  work  and  it  does  not  fail  them. 

The  addition  of  good  varnish  to  a  paint  may  give  additional 
stability  to  it  whether  it  be  made  of  white  lead  or  zinc  oxide,  but 
in  the  latter  case  it  is  a  necessity  for  outside  work,  whilst  in  the 
former  it  is  superfluous. 

To  either  pigment  it  is  a  serious  addition  to  the  cost. 

It  is  true  that  in  view  of  the  irksome  and  impossible  conditions 
foreshadowed  as  accompanying  regulations,  some  of  the  employers 
ultimately  admitted  that  they  would  prefer  prohibition  to  regula- 
tions, but  it  is  fair  to  point  out  that  the  conditions  outlined  would 
strangle  the  trade,  and  it  was  only  to  escape  from  this  dilemma 
that  an  assent  to  prohibition  was  ultimately  and  reluctantly  given 
by  thorn. 

It  was  weak  but  very  human. 

THE  CONDITIONS  PRECEDENT  TO  ABOLITION. 

The  conditions  precedent  to  the  abolition  of  white  lead  should  be 
that  consumers  and  the  community  should  have  a  matorial  or 
materials  to  take  its  place  as  accessible,  as  impersonal,  and,  for 
outside  work,  as  permanont  as  white  load. 


DAGGER  IN   USE   OF   LEAD  IN   THE   PAIXTIXG  OF  BUILDINGS.      171 
THE  DUTCH  COMMISSION. 

Attention  is  directed  to  the  work  of  the  conmission  appointed 
by  the  Dutch  Government  to  find  an  alternative  to  white  lead  as  a 
base  for  white  paint.     (See  Appendix  XXXIV.1) 

The  toxicity  of  lead  does  not  arise  in  their  investigations,  though 
it  may  have  been  behind  them.  It  is  entirely  ignored,  the  commission 
simply  devoted  itself  to  find  an  adequate  substitute  for  lead. 

Seven  years  were  expended  in  experimenting  with  the  three 
pigments,  white  lead,  zinc  oxide,  lithopone. 

It  has  to  be  borne  in  mind  that  in  Holland  large  quantities  of  zinc 
oxide  are  used  annually.  The  master  painter  is  as  familiar  with  it 
as  he  is  with  lead;  he  buys  it  in  the  dry  state  as  he  buys  his  white 
lead,  and  grinds  it  in  his  own  mill  in  his  shop.  So  that  the  Dutch 
committee  was  not  experimenting  with  a  pigment  unfamiliar  to 
the  trade,  as  would  be  the  case  in  this  country. 

The  thorough  and  scientific  manner  of  investigation  of  the  Dutch 
committee  is  a  matter  for  admiration;  they  took  nothing  for  granted. 
They  mixed  their  own  paints  on  a  previously  determined  formula. 
They  employed  their  own  expert  to  put  on  the  paints,  they  tested 
them  on  bridges,  on  a  ship,  on  houses  exposed  to  the  sea  air  at  the 
Hook  of  Holland,  and  on  State  buildings  at  Amsterdam. 

They  investigated  them  at  intervals,  and  finding  in  some  experi- 
ments that  they  had  been  faulty  in  their  preparation,  they  started 
again  on  a  new  basis. 

The  Master  Painters'  Association  of  the  Netherlands,  which 
covers  the  whole  of  Holland  outside  Amsterdam,  took  exception  to 
the  composition  of  the  zinc  oxide  paint  used,  and  made  representa- 
tions to  the  commission  that  it  was  not  possible  to  use  it  so  thick 
(as  the  commission  used  it)  in  the  ordinary  way  of  trade,  yet  with 
whatever  advantage  accruing  to  the  paint  from  being  thick,  it 
did  not  prevent  the  commission  in  their  "final  conclusions"  from 
seriously  qualifying  the  virtues  of  zinc  oxide  for  outside  work. 

Their  final  conclusions  are  of  the  most  qualitative  character, 
and  they  had  to  admit  that  on  the  vital  places  such  as  lintels,  sashes, 
cornices,  and  window  sills,  where  protection  is  very  important  to 
the  structure,  zinc  oxide  did  not  give  as  good  results  as  white  lead. 

DUTCH  COMMISSION,  "FINAL  CONCLUSIONS." 

Zinc  white  paints  are  not  so  well  able  to  withstand  frequent  recurrent  action  of 

vapors  containing  sulphurous  add  as  white  lead  paints  are.  As  the  vapor  occurs  in 
coal  smoke  of  locomotives,  steamers,  tall  chimneys,  etc.,  zinc  white  paint,  which  is 
much  exposed  to  such  smoke,  for  instance,  in  railway  stations,  etc.,  will  soon  become 

corroded,  and  is  certainly  not  able  to  replace  white  lead  there.  (14231.)  (See 
Appendix.1) 

WHAT  PROHIBITION  WOULD  MEAN. 
ZINC  OXIDE.— THE  DIFFERENCE  IN  TECHNIQUE  REQUIRED. 

The  use  of  zinc  oxide  paint  necessitates  an  entirely  different 
training  on  the  part  of  tho  painters  from  that  required  for  white 
lend  paint.  This  is  due  to  the  difference  in  the  structure  of  the  two 
paint  pigments. 

Good  painting  with  white  lead  paint  is  teste;!  by  the  thinness  of 
the  coat;  this  is  an  axiom  of  all  good  painting. 

'  In  Minutes  of  Evidence,  presented  in  a  separate  volume  of  the  original  rep  >rt. 


172  BULLETIN    OP    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR    STATISTICS. 

Cheap  work  is  always  done  with  a  thick  layer  of  paint. 

Good  painting  work  consists  in  the  careful  spreading  and  laying 
off  of  tho  paint  so  as  to  insure  a  thin  film  which  dries  through  and 
hard.  As  each  successive  coat  is  laid  on  and  dries,  there  insures  a 
scries  of  hard  homogeneous  films  which  give  the  maximum  of  wear 
service  to  the  paint.  This  is  possible  with  lead  paint,  because  its 
density  enables  it  to  be  brushed  out  thin  and  still  cover. 

But  zinc  oxide  must  be  laid  on  with  a  thick  coat  or  it  would  not 
cover;  if  brushed  out  thin,  it  involves  more  coats  to  get  the  necessary 
opacity.  In  the  one  case  you  have  inferior  painting,  in  the  alterna- 
tive you  have  a  more  costly  process. 

All  fair-minded  writers  on  the  subject  agree  on  this  point. 

M.  Petit,  a  French  engineer  and  a  manufacturer  of  zinc  paint, 
who  appeared  before  the  committee,  admits  this  in  a  book  which 
he  published. 

Ho  says: 

It  is  obvious  from  this  (the  prohibition  in  France)  that  the  house  painter  accus- 
tomed as  he  is  to  the  use  of  white  lead,  will,  if  lead  is  prohibited,  have  to  recast  all 
his  ideas  as  to  his  method  of  painting,  a  difficult  thing  to  do,  especially  for  men  of 
mature  years,  and  a  very  great  hardship  and  expense  will  be  inflicted  on  the  trade. 

This  is  well  brought  out,  too,  in  M.  de  Morsier's  evidence. 

15,633.  In  paragraph  15,511  you  state,  "The  question  of  the  thickness  of  the  coat 
is  equally  important,  because  a  painting  composed  of  a  number  of  thin  coats  is  much 
more  lusting  than  one  composed  of  less  coats  applied  thicker."  Is  not  that  a  very 
strong  argument  in  favor  of  white  lead?  Will  you  tell  the  committee  why  you  can 
spread  white  lead  into  a  thin  serviceable  coat,  and  why  you  can  not  do  the  same 
with  zinc? — "The  chief  point  is  that  the  durability  of  paint  depends  not  on  the 
number  of  layers  of  paint,  but  on  the  thinness.  The  maximum  durability  of  paint 
is  obtained  if  you  have  a  great  number  of  extremely  thin  layers,  and  it  is  possible  to 
obtain  much  thinner  layers  with  white  lead,  because  the  white  lead  itself  forms  a 
more  solid  coat  than  zinc  white;  the  reason  for  this  being  that  lead  carbonate  forms 
with  the  linseed  oil  a  soap,  whilst  zinc  white  does  not  do  so." 

This  difficulty  of  technique  does  not  exist  to  the  same  extent 
with  paints  made  on  a  lithopone  base;  they  can  be  used  with  much 
greater  facility  than  zinc  oxide,  but  they  are  entirely  unsuitable 
for  exterior  work. 

EFFECT  OF  THE  PROHIBITION  OF  WHITE  LEAD. 

France  is  tho  only  country  that  has  made  laws  for  the  total  prohibi- 
tion of  white  lead,  and  even  there  exemptions  are  to  be  allowed, 
on  the  order  of  the  minister  of  tho  interior,  an  unsatisfactory  pro- 
cedure if  leadlcss  paints  are  the  best. 

But  in  France  the  authorities  gavo  a  probationary  period  of  five 
and  a  half  years  between  tho  passing  of  the  law,  July,  1909,  and 
the  date  of  its  coming  into  operation,  January  1,  1915. 

THE  GRAVITY  OF  THE  COMMITTEE'S  PROPOSALS. 

The  majority  of  the  committee  advise  a  term  of  three  years  from 
the  date  of  tho  signing  of  their  report  for  tho  prohibition  of  white 
load  to  become  operative. 

Even  admitting  the  necessity  of  prohibition,  which  I  do  not,  I 
fool  that  tho  members  of  the  committee  can  hardly  have  realized  the 
full  import  of  their  recommendation. 

White  lead  is  made  a  long  way  in  advance  of  its  sale  and  its  use. 


DANGER  IN   USE   OF   LEAD  IN   THE   PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.      173 

Many  large  users  stock  it  for  a  period  of  two  years  to  mature,  in 
the  belief,  based  on  their  experience,  that  the  lead  so  held  gains 
in  covering  power  and  durability. 

The  corroders  and  grinders  also  hold  large  stocks  in  order  to  meet 
the  demand  made  upon  them. 

Were  the  recommendation  of  the  majority  of  the  committee 
adopted,  it  would  mean  that  a  large  quantity  of  this  valuable  ma- 
terial would  be  rendered  worthless,  a  destruction  of  property  which 
nothing  in  the  case  justifies. 

In  France,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the  use  of  zinc  oxide  is 
common  and  familiar  to  a  large  number  of  painters,  both  masters 
and  workmen,  the  term  of  five  years  was  thought  to  be  necessary  in 
which  to  effect  the  change. 

The  difficulty  of  transference  from  one  material  to  another,  quite 
distinct  in  its  nature  and  in  its  mode  of  mixing,  and  the  technique  of 
application,  could  not  possibly  be  overcome  in  the  course  of  three 
years. 

SOURCE  OF  ZINC  OXIDE  AND  LITHOPONE. 

Practically  the  entire  English  supply  of  zinc  oxide  is  drawn  from 
Continental  sources.  Several  attempts  have  been  made  to  manufac- 
ture it  on  a  large  commercial  scale  in  England,  but  without  much 
success. 

LITHOPONE. 

Lithopone  is  made  by  two  firms  only  in  the  United  Kingdom, 
and  they  use  their  entire  output  for  their  own  specialties,  so  that  in 
case  of  the  prohibition  of  white  lead  English  grinders  would  be  entirely 
dependent  for  their  raw  material  on  the  Continent  and  America. 
From  the  latter  source  the  amount  sent  us  is  small,  as  it  is  largely 
used  on  the  spot. 

ZINC  OXIDE  NOT  MADE  IN  ENGLAND  (COMMERCIALLY). 

Zinc  oxide  is  not  made  in  England  except  by  one  firm,  and  that  on 
a  relatively  small  scale,  as  their  chief  industry  is  the  making  of  litho- 
pone. The  consequence  in  case  prohibition  were  enforced  at  the  end 
of  three  years  would  be  that  the  entire  painting  trade  of  this  country 
would  be  held  up,  and  dependent  for  its  supply  on  foreign  countries. 
Under  such  conditions  the  painting  trade  would  be  brought  to  a  stand- 
still for  lack  of  material. 

I  do  not  attach  importance  to  a  material  not  being  made  in  the 
United  Kingdom  if  it  can  be  made  better  elsewhere,  and  in  any  refer- 
ence to  our  being  dependent  for  zinc  oxide  and  lithopone  on  foreign 
countries,  my  objection  to  it  is  that  it  is  proposed  to  set  aside  some- 
thing of  known  and  definite  value  which  we  produce  in  this  country 
for  something  which  at  present,  and  for  a  long  time  to  come,  we  can 
not  produce  here,  and  which  when  produced  is  not  as  good  as  the 
material  we  possess. 

WHAT  WILL  BE  REQUIRED  TO  REPLACE  WHITE  LEAD. 

The  production  of  50,000  tons  of  zinc  oxide  and  lithopone  is  not 
to  be  easily  achieved.  The  reply  suggested  is  that  the  demand  will 
create  the  supply. 


174  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUKEAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

A  sufficient  answer  to  that  is,  the  manufacture  of  both  zinc  oxide 
and  lithopone,  though  not  secret  processes,  are  matters  of  very  deli- 
cate and  complex  manipulation,  and  depend  for  success  very  largely 
on  accumulated  experience,  which  takes  many  years  to  bring  to  per- 
fection, and  involves  the  training  of  skilled  workmen  and  overlookers 
and  the  expenditure  of  enormous  capital. 

A  FAILURE  TO  MAKE  ZINC  OXIDE  IN  GREAT  BRITAIN. 

The  manufacture  of  zinc  oxide  was  attempted  on  a  large  commer- 
cial scale  in  this  country  a  few  years  ago  at  Ellesmere  Port,  on  the 
Manchester  Ship  Canal;  it  ended  in  a  disastrous  failure  and  a  great 
loss  of  capital,  not  from  financial  causes,  but  from  lack  of  experience 
and  skill  in  manufacturing  the  material.  (Mr.  Lancaster,  17569- 
17583.) 

Mr.  Lancaster's  evidence  on  the  possible  sources  of  supply  of  zinc 
oxide  and  the  difficulties  of  making  it  in  this  country  is  ot  the  utmost 
importance. 

We  have  not  the  facilities  for  making  zinc  oxide  in  this  country.  We  have  not  the 
material  for  making  it  in  this  country.  "  We  have  not  the  knowledge  of  making  it  even 
by  what  you  call  the  indirect  process.     (17583.) 

The  fact  that  we  produce  so  many  tens  of  thousands  of  tons  of  zinc  ore 
within  the  bounds  of  the  Empire  would  bring  no  comfort  to  the  paint- 
ing trade  (brought  to  a  standstill  for  lack  of  material)  if  we  did  not 
convert  it  into  zinc  oxide,  and  there  is  no  possibility  of  this  being 
done  inside  three  years.  The  works  and  equipment  to  produce  50,000 
tons  of  zinc  oxide  per  annum  could  hardly  be  built  in  the  time,  f.nd 
the  men  to  work  them  presents  an  even  greater  difficulty. 

A  FAILURE  IN  FRANCE. 

Mr.  A.  Villemot  in  his  evidence  stated: 

Throe  factories,  for  instance,  were  established  for  the  manufacture  of  lithopone,  with 
a  capital  of  3,000,000,  francs  (§579,000),  and  three  factories  were  also  established  foi 
the  manufacture  of  oxide  of  zinc,  and  all  these  institutions  have  gone  into  liquidation. 
(15206.) 

But  it  is  impossible,  according  to  that,  to  produce  zinc  oxide  of  a  good  quality? — No, 
I  mean  that  it  is  a  question  of  knowing  how  to  manufacture,     ( L5J38.) 

70,000  TONS   OF  ZINC    PIGMENT  REQUIRED— AN  IMPOSSIBLE  PROPO- 
SITION. 

Further,  when  prohibition  is  enforced  in  France,  something  like 
25,000  tons  additional  to  the  present  world  supply  of  zinc  oxide  and 
lithopone  will  be  needed  annually  in  that  country  alone,  making, 
with  what  would  be  required  here  to  replace  the  white  lead  withdrawn 
from  use,  something  like  70,000  tons.  An  impossible  proposition  to 
effect  in  three  years. 

ADMITTING  5  PER  CENT  OF  SOLUBLE  LEAD. 

The  majority  of  the  committee  propose  to  admit  a  5  per  cent  solu- 
bility of  lead  in  "leadless"  paints,  such  a  proportion  being  necessary 
for  the  production  of  greens  and  yellows  and  other  colors,  but  a  5  per 
cent  solubility  can  not  he  regarded  as  leadless  paint,  except  if  so  defined 
by  statute,  and,  more  important  still,  it  is  a  question  whether  it  would 


DANGER  IN  USE  OF  LEAD  IN"  THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.      175 

obviate  the  present  trouble  of  diagnosing  lead  poisoning  amongst 
painters. 

Further,  if  the  use  of  lead  is  restricted  to  a  5  per  cent  solubility, 
it  cuts  out  entirely  the  large  range  of  valuable  reds  which  are  to-day 
in  use,  and  which  depend  for  their  permanency  of  color  on  a  red  lead 
base. 

The  difficulty  of  proving  that  the  suggested  limitation  of  5  per  cent 
is  being  observed  would  be  enormous,  and  very  vexatious  to  all  in- 
volved, and  its  enforcement  would  necessitate  a  very  large  inspecto- 
rate. 

DIAGNOSING  LEAD  POISONING. 

The  diagnosis  of  lead  poisoning  by  the  medical  profession  in  the 
past  has  left  something  to  be  desired  on  the  grounds  of  accuracy,  and 
in  its  effect  on  the  statistics  of  lead  poisoning;  this  is  being  recognized 
to-day  by  medical  referees. 

It  is  a  fair  comment  to  say  that,  in  view  of  recent  investigations 
as  to  the  action  of  volatile  vapors  given  off  from  drying  paint  by  tur- 
pentine, some  of  the  sickness  which  has  occurred  amongst  the  work- 
men (credited  to  lead  poisoning)  must  be  credited  to  that  important 
and  essential  ingredient  of  paint,  turpentine. 

TURPENTINE  AND  ITS  EFFECTS. 

I  think  that  my  experiments  show  that  the  commonly  noticed  symptoms  of  head- 
ache and  nausea,  and  also  colic  of  a  type,  that  is  to  say,  stomach  ache  complained  of 
bv  people  from  the  smell  of  paint,  are  explainable  on  the  turpentine  hypothesis. 
(K.  W.  Goadby,  14740.) 

If  turpentine  acts  on  the  kidney  as  one  has  shown  that  it  does  (and  one  knows  that 
lead  does)  it  is  highly  important.     (14751.) 

FRESH  PAINT  AND  SICKNESS. 

I  have  also  inquired  into  and  seen  cases  of  poisoning  or  illness  produced  by  smelling 
fresh  paint,  and  such  illnesses  are  always  more  nearly  allied  in  their  symptoms  to  those 
of  turpentine  poisoning  than  of  lead  poisoning.  In  fact,  I  think  it  is  quite  easy  to 
distinguish.     (K.  W.  Goadby,  14790.) 

Then  your  conclusion  is  that  there  is  a  definite  illness  from  turpentine  not  easily 
confused  with  lead  poisoning? — Not  easily  confused,  but  1  think  it  has  boon  confused 
a  good  deal,  because  it  has  been  associated  with  paint.     (K.  W.  Goadby,  14791.) 

Yes,  quite.  You  say,  in  fact,  that  turpentine  introduces  the  danger  of  a  new 
iUnee  .'—1  think  so.    (K.  W.  Goadby,  14794.) 

THE  TENDENCY  OF  MEDICAL  DECISIONS. 

The  tendency  of  doctors  to  give  the  benefit  of  the  doubt  in  < 
where  the  man  has  been  engaged  in  lead  occupations,  and  bring  in  a 
verdict  of  lead  poisoning,  is  thus  referred  to  in  Mr.  Goadby's  evidence: 

There  is  always  a  tendency,  recently  at  any  rate,  to  bring  in  a  verdict  of  lead  pois  m- 
ing  if  possible.     1  think  thai  that  i  ral  tendency.     (14813.) 

What  makes  you  say  that,  because  you  know  there  is  a  medical  referee? — V  i 
know.  I  know  several  medical  referees,  and  the}  ea<  hof  them  take  this  view,  and  1 
am  not  criticizing  their  view,  that  in  a  case  of  doubt,  where  the  evidence  is  almost 
evenly  balanced  and  there  is  evidence  of  the  man  having  been  employed  in  a  lead 
industry  in  which  he  might  have  poisoning,  it  is  common  justice  to 

give  the  benefit  of  the  doubt  on  the  point  of  lead.  1  think  that  is  right,  but  for  the 
purposes  of  statistics  it  is  a  little  disturbing.    (Mr.  Goadby,  1 181 1.) 

But  that  opinion  of  yours  would  not  apply  t<>  lead  industries  where  turpentine  was 
not  used?  -I  am  talking  of  all  lead.  1  thinkthal  that  is  the  general  point  of  view  that 
a  referee  would  take.    I  should  take  it  myself  if  1  referee,     [thinkthat 

it  is  a  fair  one,  but  it  is  disturbing  with  regard  to  stati  fair  it  maj   he. 

Thirty  deaths  is  rather  a  small  number  to  go  on  alone.     (Mr.  *  roadby,  14815.) 


176  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

LEAD  POISONING  NOT  AN  UNPREVENTABLE  DISEASE. 

Paralysis  and  all  these  maiming  diseases  which  follow  lead  poisoning  only  come  on 
in  the  majority  of  cases  after  very  long  continued  exposure.  I  do  not  consider  lead 
poisoning  by  any  means  an  unpreventahle  disease.  I  believe  it  might  be  a  prevent- 
able disease  if  it  were  recognized  in  the  earlier  stages  that  these  changes  were  going  on 
in  the  blood.     (14819.) 

I  have  shown  you  that  basophile  staining  may  occur  in  turpentine  poisoning.  It 
may  occur  also  presumably  in  zinc  poisoning.  The  point  is  that  that  curious  staining 
in  the  red  cells  is  not  a  symptom  of  lead  poisoning  alone,  and  it  must  not  be  regarded 
as  such.     ("Sir.  Goadby,  14819.) 

But  it  is  most  important  that  such  an  investigation  should  not  be  undertaken  by 
anyone  unless  he  be  a  competent  person  in  doing  blood  examination.  It  can  not  be 
done,  I  am  afraid,  by  the  man  who  is  in  general  practice  in  the  ordinary  way.  He 
has  not  the  time  or  the  facilities  for  doing  a  rather  technical  operation  of  that  sort. 
(Mr.  Kenneth  Goadby,  14810.) 

LEAD  POISONING  AND  LEAD  ABSORPTION. 

Lead  poisoning  and  lead  absorption  are  not  synonymous  terms.  The  literature 
with  regard  to  the  potteries  makes  the  statement  that  certifying  surgeons  are  to  observe 
that.     (14786.) 

The  problem  is  not  necessarily  to  abolish  the  use  of  white  lead;  it 
is  to  combat  its  ill  effects  on  the  system  of  the  workmen. 

SUSCEPTIBILITY  TO  LEAD  POISONING. 

I  think  that  it  might  be  possible  to  devise  regulation  for  practically  cutting  down 
lead  poisoning  to  "nil, "  and  I  think  that  in  examining  the  men  from  time  to  time  in 
the  way  I  have  suggested  you  would  put  your  finger  on  the  big  point — on  the  men  who 
are  careless — and  you  would  have  to  weed  them  out,  and  also  the  susceptible  people. 
That  is  what  we  have  done  in  the  white  lead  works.  There  are  certain  people  who 
ought  not  to  be  employed  in  a  lead  trade,  because  they  are  susceptible  to  lead.  There 
are  many  intercurrent  diseases.  There  are  many  men  with  kidney  disease  not  due  to 
alcohol,  but  to  old  rheumatism  or  scarlet  fever.  If  such  a  man  presented  himself  at 
lead  works  he  should  not  be  employed,  because  he  would  be  dealing  with  a  poison 
when  his  tissues  are  already  half  poisoned  with  something  else.  I  think  that  a  very 
great  deal  might  be  done  with  regard  to  painting  in  that  way.  (Mr.  Kenneth  Goadby, 
14906.) 

REGULATIONS  AND  THE  ABOLITION  OF  DRY  RUBBING 

DOWN. 

A  better  solution  of  the  question  would  be  found  in  the  total  pro- 
hibition of  dry  rubbing  down. 

Accepting  the  dust  theory  as  the  prolific  source  of  lead  poisoning 
(and  all  the  medical  authorities  are  agreed  on  this  point)  the  aban- 
donment of  dry  rubbing  down  would  remove  at  once  the  source  of 
90  per  cent  of  the  trouble. 

I  am  convinced  that  if  dry  rubbing  down  were  prohibited,  and,  if 
necessary,  enforced  by  penalties,  the  trade  would  observe  the  restric- 
tion and  find  a  substitute  for  it.  The  abolition  of  dry  rubbing  down 
is  an  inconvenience  rather  than  an  impossibility. 

Stress  is  laid  on  tho  difficulty  of  enforcing  regulations;  that  is  not 
necessarily  a  valid  reason  for  not  imposing  them. 

There  woidd  be  two  parties  to  the  regulations,  the  employer  and 
the  workman.  The  latter  would  be  an  efficient  check  on  those  em- 
ployers who  sought  to  evade  their  obligations,  since  the  health  of  the 
workman  himself  is  in  question. 

The  crux  of  regulations  centers  on  two  points:  (1)  The  prohibition 
of  dry  rubbing  down;   (2)  facilities  for  washing. 


DANGER  IN  USE  OF  LEAD  IN  THE  PAINTING  OF  BUILDINGS.      177 

WASHING  ACCOMMODATION  ALWAYS  AVAILABLE— WATER  A  NECES- 
SITY FOR  THE  WORK— HOT  WATER  NOT  A  NECESSITY  FOR  WASH- 
ING. 

The  provision  of  washing  accommodation  exists  now  on  most  jobs. 

Men  must  have  hot  water  for  purposes  of  their  work.  If  hot  water 
is  not  laid  on,  they  make  a  fire  and  heat  it  in  buckets.  They  also 
boil  water  for  their  meals. 

If  they  can  do  this  for  the  purposes  of  their  work,  they  can  do  it  for 
washing  purposes;  though  the  necessity  for  hot  water  is  not  stressed 
in  the  least  by  the  medical  witness: 

Hot  water  for  washing  not  important.     (Mr.  Goadby,  22063.) 

Unless  you  can  go  to  the  fountainhead  of  the  mischief  and  stop  the  dust,  you  are 
not  going  to  secure  much  improvement  by  all  the  cleanliness  in  the  world.  (Dr. 
Legge,  Q.  273.) 

REGULATIONS  NEVER  TRIED  IN  THE  PAINTING  TRADE. 

Regulations  in  the  painting  trade  have  never  been  tried,  so  their 
value  can  not  be  estimated. 

It  is  only  fair  to  the  employers  (master  painters)  to  remember  that 
in  the  experience  of  thousands  of  them,  the  evils  of  lead  poisoning  do 
not  exist.  It  is  known  to  them  only  by  hearsay,  or  through  the  pub- 
lished tables  of  the  board  of  trade,  or  reports  of  cases  in  the  daily  and 
other  papers. 

A  PERSONAL  EXPERIENCE. 

I  myself  was  intimately  associated  with  the  trade  for  nearly  40 
years,  first  as  an  apprentice  and  for  over  32  years  as  an  employer, 
and  during  all  that  time  I  never  to  my  knowledge  came  into  contact 
with  a  case  of  lead  poisoning.  My  experience  must  be  that  of  thou- 
sands of  other  employers. 

Seven  hundred  and  twenty  "cases"  a  year,  many  of  them  slight, 
distributed  amongst  some  20,000  employers,  must  of  necessity  pass 
unnoticed  by  large  numbers. 

LEAD  DUST  NEVER  SUSPECTED  AS  A  DANGER. 

It  is  also  due  to  the  master  house  painter  to  point  out  that  until 
quite  recently  the  great  source  of  the  danger,  lead  dust,  caused  by 
dry  rubbing  down,  was  unsuspected  by  them,  the  evil  being  attributed 
to  personal  negligence  and  careless  habits. 

Nor  was  this  opinion  confined  to  employers.  Mr.  A.  Gardner,  who 
signs  tho  majority  report,  giving  evidence  in  the  building  accidents 
inquiry,  1907  [Cd.  3848],  said: 

If  a  man  cleans  his  hands  before  he  takes  his  food  and  keeps  his  overalls  in  decent 
condition  there  is  not  much  risk.     (172!).) 

I  suppose  the  painters  understand  that  lead  poisoning  is  largely  a  matter  of  cleanli- 
ness on  their  part? — Oh,  yes,  if  a  man  has  painter's  colic  it  is  to  a  great  extent  his 
own  fault,  generally  speaking.     (1758.) 

That  is  because  he  does  not  take  the  precautions  which  are  absolutely  necessary? — 
It  is  generally  due  to  uncleanliness  on  his  part.     (1759.) 

I  am  not  quoting  this  evidence  as  showing  any  inconsistency  on 
the  part  of  Mr.  Gardner.  At  that  time,  and  with  tho  information  I 
then  had,  I  should  myself  have  replied  in  similar  terms;  but  this 

25235°— Bull.  1S8— 16 12 


178  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

only  confirms  the  plea  I  make,  that  in  the  matter  of  lead  poisoning 
the  trade  has  been  fixing  its  attention  on  the  minor  evil  and  neglect- 
ing the  graver  source  of  trouble. 

The  investigations  and  report  of  the  pottery  committee  drew  atten- 
tion to  the  danger  of  lead  dust,  and  the  improvement  in  the  health  of 
the  workers  in  white  lead  works,  effected  by  the  requirements  laid 
down  by  the  Home  Office,  enforce  the  same  conclusion,  but  the  infor- 
mation is  unknown  to  the  vast  majority  of  painters. 

It  is  reasonable  to  suppose  that  if  attention  were  definitely  drawn 
to  this  point  as  it  would  be  if  dry  rubbing  down  were  prohibited, 
benefit  would  be  derived  from  it. 

THE  EXPERIENCE  OF  HOLLAND. 

The  experience  of  Holland  is  very  similar  to  that  of  Scotland. 
The  Netherlands  Association  of  Master  Painters  includes  some  1,400 
members,  employing  10,000  painters.  They  have  an  insurance  so- 
ciety for  their  members,  which  is  an  arrangement  made  between 
them  and  the  Government,  the  scale  of  payments  and  compensations 
being  settled  by  the  Government.  Both  are  on  a  much  more  liberal 
scale  than  in  this  country,  but  the  administration  remains  in  the 
hands  of  the  asssociation. 

The  association  covers  all  Holland  outside  Amsterdam.  Mr.  M. 
Nooijen  is  the  secretary  of  the  insurance  committee,  and  makes  out 
all  orders  for  payments  for  compensation  on  the  Government. 

In  Holland,  lead  poisoning,  if  acute,  may  be  regarded  as  an  "acci- 
dent" (since  1907),  as  it  is  in  this  country,  yet  Mr.  Nooijen  stated  to 
the  committee  that  they  had  not  had  any  cases  of  lead  poisoning. 
(Q.  14309-23.) 

In  my  opinion,  the  significance  of  the  case  of  Scotland,  where  there 
are  nearly  15,000  painters,  employers,  and  workmen,  and  where  there 
were  20  cases  in  five  years  (voluntarily  reported),  and  on  the  evidence 
of  Dr.  Legge,  lead  poisoning  (outside  the  Glasgow  area)  is  negligible, 
has  not  been  sufficiently  appreciated. 

Scotland  gives  cause  for  serious  consideration  before  destroying 
an  industry,  and  condemning  a  material  so  valuable  to  the  community 
in  protecting  its  structures  as  is  white  lead. 

I  have  not  dealt  with  the  question  of  white  lead  as  a  medium 
of  decoration.  Its  value  in  this  respect  is  very  great,  and  much  can 
be  said  for  it,  as  the  important  evidence  of  Mr.  J.  D.  Grace  discloses, 
but  I  have  confined  my  comments  to  its  value  to  structures  and  build- 
ings of  all  kinds. 

I  am  not  for  the  use  of  white  lead  at  any  price,  but  the  public, 
the  manufacturers,  and  the  painting  trade  are  entitled  to  ask  that 
before  so  decisive  a  step  is  taken  as  the  prohibition  of  an  industry, 
and  a  material  that  has  fully  justified  itself  to  the  community  as  a 
valuable  material  for  protective  and  decorative  purposes,  regulation 
should  first  be  tried. 

ROOT  AND  BRANCH  PROHIBITION. 

Expert  opinion  is  divided  as  to  the  respective,  value,  as  a  paint 
pigment,  of  a  chemically  pure  zinc  oxide  and  one  containing  a  per- 
centage of  lead  salts  up  to  4  per  cent  or  5  per  cent.  For  the  purposes 
of  enamels  the  former  is  more  generally  approved,  but  for  purpose 


DAXGER  IN   USE   OF   LEAD  IN   THE    PAINTING    OF   BUILDINGS.      179 

of  paints  the  zinc  oxide,  made  by  the  direct  process,  and  containing 
a  small  percentage  of  lead,  is  considered  the  more  useful  and  stable 
pigment. 

But  if  the  prohibition  of  white  lead  is  to  be  adopted,  to  be  legally 
efficient  it  should  be  root  and  branch  prohibition,  without  qualifica- 
tion. It  would  thus  get  rid  of  "lead"  poisoning,  whatever  else  it 
brought  in  its  train. 

It  would  also  relieve  the  trade  of  the  liability  of  lead  poisoning 
as  a  statutory  accident,  but  so  long  as  any  percentage  of  lead  is 
allowed  to  remain  in  the  zinc,  or  the  colors,  any  and  all  sickness 
arising  from  paint  may  be  debited  to  lead  poisoning,  so  that  if 
percentages  01  lead  are  allowed  to  remain  the  difficulty  of  exact 
diagnosis  will  remain  with  it. 

This  difficulty  is  no  imaginary  one,  as  the  testimony  of  Mr.  Goadby 
given  above  discloses. 

The  effective  prohibition  of  lead  will  seriously  reduce  the  colors 
for  painting  and  decorative  work,  and  will  rule  out  whole  ranges 
of  colors  which  can  not  be  replaced  by  zinc  colors  except  at  enor- 
mously increased  cost,  which  for  most  commercial  purposes  would 
be  prohibitive,  but  that  is  one  of  the  prices  the  community  must 
pay  if  lead  is  to  be  prohibited. 

Speaking  on  behalf  of  the  painting  trade,  I  may  claim  that  the 
master  painters  are  as  solicitous  as  any  other  body  of  employers 
to  do  what  is  possible  for  the  welfare  of  their  men,  and  I  feel  assured 
that  if  regulations  were  passed  they  would  willingly  cooperate  with 
the  authorities  to  make  them  effective. 

My  suggestion,  put  forward  with  all  diffidence,  is  that  regulations 
should  be  given  a  trial  for  a  period  of  five  years,  1915-1919;  that  the 
results  should  be  carefully  tabulated  with  a  view  to  see  their  effect, 
and  if  any  diminution  of  attacks  and  deaths  ensued,  and  that  at 
the  end  of  the  period  the  position  be  reviewed  in  the  light  of  the 
tamed  facts. 

If  no  diminution  had  taken  place,  the  case  for  the  prohibition 
of  the  use  of  lead  would  bo  greatly  strengthened,  and  would  be 
difficult  to  resist. 

I  would  further  respectfully  suggest  that  if  in  the  meantime  a 
committee  of  investigation  could   bo  appointed,   comprising  repre- 
sentatives of,  amongst  others — 
The  Royal  Society  of  Arts, 
The  Royal  Institute  of  British  Architects, 
The  Society  of  Chemical  Industry, 

The  National  Federation  of  Paint  and  Varnish  Manufacturi 
The  National  Association  of  Master  House  Painters, 
The    National    Amalgamated    Society    of    Operative    House 
Painters, 
under  an  independent  chairman,  to  formulate  a  plan  of  operations 
for  making  exhaustive  tests  of  white  Lead  and  zinc  paints,  under 
conditions  that  would  bo  accepted  as  authoritative,   it  would  be 
very  helpful  in  educating  public  opinion  on  the  point. 

I  associate  myself  cordially  with  the  majority  in  acknowledging 
the  very  able  service  rendered  to  the  committee  by  Mr.  B.  A.  K. 
Werner,  who  has  acted  as  secretary  throughout,  the  inquiry. 

I  much  regret  that  I  am  compelled  to  place  myself  in  such  di 
antagonism  to  the  finding  of  my  colleagues  on  the  committee,  but 


180  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

I  have  endeavored  to  give  the  investigation  the  benefit  of  whatever 
experience  I  have  gained  in  a  lifelong  and  intimate  connection  with 
the  painting  trade,  and  have  been  prompted  solely  by  the  desire 
to  have  both  sides  of  the  question  freely  ventilated. 

This  must  be  my  apology  for  this  somewhat  lengthy  report. 
I  have  the  honor  to  remain,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

W.  G.  Sutherland. 
February,  1915. 

I  attach  a  summary,  and  an  outline  of  regulations;  the  first,  I 
submitted  to  the  committee. 

A  SUMMARY. 

I  submitted  to  the  committee  the  following  summary  as  a  fair 
deduction  from  the  evidence  put  before  it: 

That  the  inquiry  into  the  use  of  white  lead  in  building  operations 
by  this  committee  has  established — 

(1)  That  the  fatalities  and  injuries  to  health  arising  from  tho  use 
of  white  lead  as  a  paint  are  serious. 

(2)  That  the  exact  incidence  of  "cases"  is  uncertain,  and  in  the 
present  state  of  information  conjectural. 

(3)  That  regulations  applied  to  factories  where  lead  is  made 
and  used  has  greatly  reduced  the  "case"  and  the  "fatals"  in  these 
industries. 

(4)  That  it  is  fair  to  assume  that  regulations  applied  to  the  paint- 
ing trade  would  have  similar  results. 

(5)  That  the  center  of  danger  in  all  lead  industries  is  in  the  dust 
produced. 

(6)  That  in  the  painting  trade  the  dust-producing  processes 
hurtful  to  the  health  of  the  operatives  rest  on  the  dry  rubbing  down 
of  lead  paint. 

(7)  That  the  danger  of  load  poisoning  from  emanations  given  off 
by  drying  paint,  or  from  fumes  created  by  burning  off  old  paint, 
as  proved  by  the  evidence,  does  not  exist. 

(8)  That  the  danger  arising  from  unwashed  hands  and  careless- 
ness in  the  use  of  white  lead  in  painted  processes  is  trivial  compared 
with  the  danger  from  dust,  but  not  entirely  negligible. 

(9)  That  the  incidence  of  lead  poisoning  amongst  house  painters 
over  the  number  engaged  is  much  lighter  than  in  the  other  industries 
into  which  lead  enters,  and  which  come  under  the  operation  of  the 
factory  acts.  Therefore  it  is  desirable  before  proceeding  to  so  drastic 
a  course  as  the  prohibition  of  the  use  of  white  lead  to  give  a  trial 
to  regulations  over  a  sufficient  length  of  time  to  demonstrate  their 
efficiency  or  otherwise. 

(10)  That  in  Scotland,  where  the  use  of  white  lead  in  painting 
operations  is  as  extensive,  per  painter,  as  in  England,  and  where 
the  use  of  abrasives  such  as  sandpaper  and  dry  rubbing  down 
with  pumice  stone  is  equally  practiced,  lead  poisoning  outside  the 
Glasgow  area  is  almost  negligible  (vide  Dr.  Legge's  evidence). 

(11)  That  in  England  tho  great  areas  of  lead  poisoning  are  London, 
Lancashire,  Birmingham,  and  Leeds. 

(12)  That  this  large  location  of  the  evil  to  congested  centers 
points  to  indifferent  environment  as  weakening  tho  resistance  to 


DANGER  IN   USE   OF  LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING  OF  BUILDINGS.      181 

attacks  of  white  lead,   and  which  might  be  further  elucidated  by 
notification  of  all  attacks  being  made  compulsory. 

(13)  That  this  is  another  cogent  reason  for  caution  before  coming 
to  a  decision  to  prohibit  the  use  of  white  lead. 

(14)  That  the  most  rational  course  is  to  prohibit  (under  heavy 
penalties)  dry  rubbing  down,  and  thus  at  one  stroke  remove  the 
great  source  of  danger  from  poisoning  by  lead  dust. 

(15)  That  a  probationary  period  of  not  less  than  five  years  be 
allowed,  during  which  time  it  shall  be  made  compulsory  on  the 
employer  to  make  returns  of  all  cases  occurring  to  his  workmen  so 
as  to  arrive  at  the  true  incidence  of  cases. 

That  to  insure  perfect  returns  the  machinery  of  the  new  insurance 
act  should  be  utilized  for  the  stating  of  all  cases,  slight  or  other- 
wise, of  lead  poisoning. 

(16)  That  during  this  period  all  materials  into  which  lead  enters 
i.  e.,  colors,  patent  driers,  etc.,  shall  bo  labeled  at  their  source  of 
supply  in  conspicuous  letters  as  "poisonous,"  and  that  it  be  oblig- 
atory on  every  master  to  have  fixed  in  a  prominent  place  in  his 
shop"  a  sheet  supplied  by  the  Home  Office,  pointing  out  the  dangers 
attaching  to  the  use  of  white  and  red  lead  and  its  compounds,  and 
the  necessity  of  cleanliness  in  handling  them. 

(17)  That  inasmuch  as  it  is  the  custom  long  established  for  opera- 
tive house  painters  to  provide  their  own  overalls  and  have  them 
washed  at  regular  intervals,  no  interference  with  this  practice  is  neces- 
sary beyond  making  it  compulsory  on  all  painters,  including  work- 
men employed  as  painters  in  foundries  and  engineering  shops  and  the 
painting  of  railway  stations  and  bridges,  to  wear  overalls  and  have 
them  washed  at  stated  intervals  of  not  less  than  once  in  seven  days. 

(18)  That  in  the  present  state  of  supply  of  zinc  paint,  whether 
oxide  or  sulphide,  the  prohibition  of  white  load  as  a  paint  base  would 
paralyze  the  industry  of  painting  and  make  us  entirely  dependent 
on  foreign  sources  of  supply*  which  would  not  for  many  years  meet 
the  demand. 

(19)  That  this  position  would  be  greatly  intensified  if  after  1914 
the  prohibition  of  white  lead  in  Franco  becomes  operative. 

(20)  That  no  Government  except  France  has  prohibited  the  use 
of  white  lead,  that  the  State  railways  of  Prussia  gave  leadless  paints 
an  exhaustive  trial  extending  over  two  years,  and  abandoned  it  as 
unsatisfactory  and  reverted  to  the  use  of  lead  paints. 

(21)  That  there  does  not  appear  to  bo  any  white  pigment  so  access- 
ible, so  universal,  and  so  reasonably  adaptable  as  a  paint  to  meet  all 
the  fluctuations  of  temperature  and  climatic  conditions  of  this  coun- 
try as  white  lead. 

(22)  That  its  abolition  and  the  substitution  of  zinc  oxide  would 
impose  on  the  painting  trade  an  entire  recasting  of  its  methods  and 
the  unlearning  of  all  that  it  has  previously  been  taught  to  regard  as 
good  painting. 

(23)  That  (with  perhaps  tho  exception  of  the  Dutch)  tho  British 
painter  takes  first  place  in  Europe  amongst  painters  for  the  quality 
of  his  work,  which  has  a  fine  tradition  attached  to  it,  and  it  would 
bo  a  grave  mistake  to  prejudice  what  Mr.  Wonnacott,  V.  R.  1.  B.  A., 
in  his  evidence  before  the  committee,  rightly  described  as  a  craft. 

W.  G.  S. 


182  BULLETIN    OF    THE    BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

OUTLINE  OF  REGULATIONS. 

The  peculiar  dispersed  character  of  the  operations  of  painting  make 
inspection  a  difficult  matter.  Everyone  admits  this,  but  in  face  of 
the  great  limitation  of  the  origin  of  iead  poisoning  to  dry  rubbing 
down  (as  proved  by  the  medical  evidence)  its  control  becomes  a  much 
simpler  matter. 

If  the  problem  of  '"lead"  poisoning  were  complicated  by  lead  ema- 
nations from  wet  or  drying  paint,  or  from  paint  in  cans  or  kegs,  it 
would  be  more  difficult  in  solving,  but  centered  as  it  is  largely  in  this 
one  process,  it  should  not  be  difficult  to  control. 

Everything  else  falls  into  insignificance  before  this,  and  the  solu- 
tion of  the  problem  should  not  be  insurmountable. 

If  it  were  made  a  penal  offense  to  rub  down  white  lead  paint  by 
the  dry  process,  it  would  soon  resolve  itself. 

The  regulations  suggested  are  merely  put  forward  as  a  framework 
for  further  elaboration  if  necessary,  but  it  appears  to  mo  that  elabo- 
rate and  complicated  regulations  would  defeat  their  intention,  and 
the  simpler  they  are,  so  long  as  they  effect  their  purpose,  the  more 
likely  are  they  to  be  willingly  complied  with. 

A  system,  such  as  is  outlined,  would  give  the  Home  Office  a  mass 
of  exact  data  which  would  ultimately  determine  the  problem  one 
way  or  the  other. 

SUGGESTED  REGULATIONS. 

Notification  by  the  Home  Office  to  be  posted  conspicuously  in 
ever}T  painter's  shop  and  in  all  workshops  and  engineering  and  other 
works  where  painters  are  employed  as  to — 

The  danger  spot  in  painting  operations,  i.  e.,  dry  rubbing 

down,  and  its  prohibition. 
The  necessity  for  personal  cleanliness. 

The  labeling  in  bold  letters  as  poisonous  at  their  source  of 
supply  of  all  compounds  containing  lead. 
The  imposing  on  all  paint  and  color  manufacturers  to  send  out 
their  colors  containing  lead  to  painters,  moist,  i.  e.,  ground — 

(1)  in  water  for  distemper  colors. 

(2)  in  turpentine,  or 

(3)  in  oil. 

For  fine  colors  this  could  be  done  in  tubes,  as  is  the  practice  at 
present  of  a  large  number  of  firms,  and,  for  big  bulk,  in  kegs. 

Compulsion  on  all  workmen  to  provide  overalls  and  have  them 
washed  once  a  week.  This  operates  with  all  decent  painters 
to-day,  and  is  the  custom  of  the  trade. 

Five  minutes  to  be  allowed  by  the  employer  before  each  meal 
hour  for  washing  of  hands. 

The  employer  to  provide  washing  facilities  and  soap  and  towels. 

Medical  inspection  at  intervals  of  two  months  and  the  certifica- 
tion of  same  on  cards  to  be  provided  for  the  purpose. 

There  is  no  serious  difficulty  in  this,  as  even  for  workmen 
working  on  country  jobs,  the  bulk  of  them  "come  in"  once  in 
every  two  months;  this  is  a  stipulation  in  most  working  rules. 

The  possession  of  such  a  card  to  be  obligatory  on  the  workman, 
and  to  last  for  a  year,  the  cards  to  be  returned  to  the  Home 
Office  at  the  ond  of  the  year  to  be  tabulated,  and  the  records 
kept. 


DANGER  IN   USE   OF   LEAD  IN   THE   PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.      183 

AU  cases  of  "lead  poisoning,"  their  exact  nature,  development, 
duration  to  be  recorded  and  checked  by  the  medical  referee  in 
the  district  concerned. 

In  cases  where  there  are  symptoms  of  lead  poisoning,  the  em- 
ployer to  transfer  the  workman  to  work  where  he  will  not  come 
m  contact  with  lead — this  in  case  the  attack  is  slight,  and  not 
sufficient  to  preclude  the  man  from  working.  (In  the  latter 
case  he  comes  under  the  operation  of  the  Workmen's  Com- 
pensation Act.)  The  many  processes  in  the  painting  trade 
gives  the  employer  opportunities  for  this  without  any  serious 
inconveniences. 

W.  G.  S. 

NOTES  ON  MR.  SUTHERLAND'S  MEMORANDUM. 

In  regard  to  Scotland,  Mr.  Sutherland  is  entirely  erroneous,  regard- 
ing the  comparatively  small  number  of  lead-poisoning  cases.  The 
returns  received  by  the  Scottish  Painters'  Society  during  the  first 
18  months  that  sick  benefit  was  payable  under  the  National  Insur- 
ance Act  show  that  23  members  were  certified  as  suffering  from 
"colic,"  "lead  colic,"  or  "plumbism,"  while  in  addition  to  these  cases 
6  members  received  workmen's  compensation  for  the  same  disease ; 
and  these  figures  fully  bear  out  Dr.  Legge's  estimate  as  to  "attack" 
cases.  The  cause  of  a  large  proportion  of  these  cases  not  appearing 
in  the  analysis  of  reported  cases  is  the  want  of  notification  by  medical 
practitioners  to  the  factory  department. 

It  is  true  that  the  proportion  of  cases  to  the  membership  of  the 
society  shows  a  lower  attack  rate  than  among  painters  in  England. 
This  is  accounted  for  by  the  fact  that  in  Scotland  there  is  far  less 
dry  rubbing  down  than  in  England. 

The  quotations  from  my  evidence  of  1907,  given  before  a  committee 
dealing  with  building  accidents,  only  show  that  before  close  inquiry 
I  inclined  to  the  opinion  that  the  dangers  were  exaggerated.  I 
entered  the  present  inquiry  with  an  open  mind  and  found  that  the 
evidence  was  such  as  to  convince  me  absolutely. 

Arciid.  Gardner. 

In  our  opinion,  Mr.  Sutherland's  arguments  respecting  the  differ- 
ent technique  required  for  applying  zinc  paints  could  not  be  regarded 
seriously  and  would  not  be  accepted  by  practical  men — whether 
employers  or  operatives — in  view  of  the  admittedly  wide  use  of  such 
paints  in  France,  Holland,  Belgium,  and  Scandinavia,  as  well 
the  evidence  of  witnesses  regarding  the  extensive  use  of  such  paints 
in  this  country  for  interior  painting,  and  in  many  cases  for  exterior 
painting  also,  where  zinc  and  lead  paints  are  habitually  applied  by 
the  -.line  workmen. 

A  i:«  i i  i >.  Gardner, 
J.  Parsonage. 

Mr.  Sutherland  has,  in  his  memorandum,  reflected  on  the  methods 
whereby  his  colleagues  have  arrived  at  their  conclusions;  we  feel  it 
to  be  unnecessary  to  refute  Mr.  Sutherland's  allegations  in  detail, 
but  we  must  protest  against  the  implication  that  we  have  based  our 
findings  on  the  testimony  of  any  one  individual  witness,  inasmuch  as 
the  evidence  sufficiently  reveals  the  wide  scope  of  our  investigations. 


184  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

We  wish,  further,  to  dissociate  ourselves  from  the  way  in  which 
the  evidence  relating  to  H.  M.  office  of  works  is  dealt  with.  Both 
Sir  Henry  Tanner  and  Mr.  Patterson  came  before  the  committee  to 
state  the  experience  and  observations  of  unbiased  officials  of  a  Gov- 
ernment department,  having  neither  personal  nor  pecuniary  interest 
in  either  lead  or  zinc. 

Those  members  of  the  committee  whose  signatures  follow  that  of 
the  chairman  hereunder  regret  the  form  of  Mr.  Sutherland's  reference, 
on  page  166,  to  an  unimportant  incident.  Mr.  Sutherland  presents 
his  quotations — without  their  context — in  such  a  manner  as  to  infer 
a  lack  of  fairness  on  the  part  of  the  chairman,  whose  conduct  of  the 
whole  inquiry  we  need  hardly  say  has  been  as  impartial  as  it  has  been 
conspicuously  able. 

Ernest  Hatch,  Chairman. 

Godfrey  Baring. 

Henry  Bentinck. 

Edgar  L.  Collis. 

F.  G.  Rice. 

Arcud.  Gardner. 

J.  Parsonage. 


186  BULLETIN   OF   THE   BUREAU   OF   LABOR   STATISTICS. 

TABLE   OF  INFORMATION   SUPPLIED 


Mar- 
ginal 
num- 
ber. 


Name  of  user  of  lead- 
less  paint. 


Brand 
of  lead- 
less 
paint. 


Leadles?  paint  used  for- 


What  purpose. 


How  many 
years. 


Longest  time  exposed  without 
repainting. 


Internally. 


Extern-All  v. 


15 


Smedlevs  Hydropathic 
Co.  (Ltd.),  Matlock. 


West  Ham   Corpora- 
tion. 

Chertsey    Union 

Guardians. 
Rudd  &  Son  (Ltd.), 

Grantham. 

Baliol  College,  Oxford. 


G.  Ramsbotham,  6 
St.  George's  Parade, 
Finchley  Road,  N. 

Rugby  School 


About  12. 


Exterior  of  in- 
firmary. 


.do. 


Special  pur- 
pose in  labo- 
ratory work. 


8  or  10. 


Rugby  school, 
school  sana- 
torium, town 
hospital. 


About  10. 


The  Infants'  Hospital, 
Vincent   Square, 
S.W. 
Do 


Do. 


.do. 


E.    Watts    &    Sons, 
Cowes,  I.  of  W. 


About  12. 


Do. 


fDi.. 
\D*.. 


About  15. 


Do 

Copartnership  Ten- 
ants (Ltd.),  6 
Bloomsbury  Square, 
W.  C. 


.do. 


Houses. 


Do. 


B,  F, 
G. 


.do. 


1  to  2. 


J.  Clarke, Esq., F.R.I. 
B.  A.,  31  Castle 
Street,  Liverpool. 


Do. 


Mills . 


About  10. 


Do 

beds  Forge  Co. 
(Ltd.),  Leeds. 
Do 


H1... 
( Ena- 
mel.) 

I 

J 


.do. 
.do. 


.do. 
.do. 


C  onsott  Iron  Co. 
(  Ltd.  j,  County  Dur- 
ham. 


Outside  of 
corrugated 
iron  roofs. 


3  months. 
About  10. 


7  years . 


4  years . 


5  years . 

4  years . 
....do. 


5  years . 


8  years 

About  10  years 


0  years. 


4  years . 
do.. 


.do. 


4  years . 

3  years . 

4  years . 


8  years . 


4  or  5  years, 

according  to 
position. 


4  to  5  years.. 


4  to  5  years. 


5  years . 


Not  used. 


3  years . 


3  or  4  years. 


DANGER  IN  USE   OF  LEAD  IN   THE   PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.      187 
BY  USERS   OF   LEADLESS   PAINTS. 


To  what  extent  found  satisfactory  as  regards- 


Finish. 


Durability. 


Permanence  of 
color. 


Cost  of  painting 
operations. 


Other  remarks 


Very  good. 


Good     glossy 
surface. 


Satisfactory; 
bright  arid 
fresh     after 

n  washing. 

Good i.. 


"Stands  well" 
(white  prin- 
cipally used) 

Good..! 


Very  satisfac- 
tory. 


Good.. 
....do. 


Excellent. 


.do. 


Fairly  good. 
Very  good. . 


Good. 


Very  good. 
Good 


Very  good. 


.do. 


....do 

Solid;  good.. 




Lasting  very 
well. 

Very  satisfac- 
tory. 


One-third  more 
than  ordinary 
lead  paints. 

Compares  favor- 
a  b  1  y  with 
other  paints. 


Well  worth  additional  cost; 
its  finished  appearance 
keeps  much  better  than  or- 
dinary paints. 


Very  satisfac- 
tory. 


.do. 


.do. 


About  6d.  (12 
cents)  per  yard 
superficial. 


Good.. 
....do. 


Good  (cream 
and  white 
best). 

Good 


E  xcellent . 


.do. 


No  good  what- 
ever when 
exposed  to 
weather. 

Very  good 


It  stood  well . 


White  mostly 
used;  excel- 
lent in  every 
way. 

Good  where 
sheltered. 


Good. 


Good. 


.do. 


Very  good 

Our  best  up  to 
now. 


Very  good. 
do 


Rather  heavy . : 


Quite  reasonable 


Rather  cheaper 
than  B. 


Rather  more 
than  ordinary 
andother  lead- 
less  paints. 

About  the  same 
as  ordinary 
paint. 

do 

Little  morethan 
lead  p 

first,  but  les- 
sens as  men 
got  used  to  it. 


Best  and  most  economical 
come  across. 

A  paint  was  wanted  which 
would  remain  smooth  when 
under  slightly  warmed  wa- 
ter day  and  night  for 
months.  The  paint  was 
very  satisfactory  for  this 
purpose. 

For  tho  past  9  years  has 
found  nothing  better  for  ex- 
ternal and  internal  use. 

Preferred  to  any  other  on  the 
market.  The  body  is 
denser;  although  it  may  bo 
rather  difficult  to  apply, 
the  extra  labor  is  well  ex- 
pended. 

Paint  put  on  new  building 


Very  good. 


.do. 


!  j  prep- 
aration    and 

one    co 
paint  9d.   (18 

ficial      yard, 
count! 
(20 ceo 
don. 
....do 


Medium. 


Good... 
(Black). 


.do. 


....do 

Below  the  aver- 
age. 
....do 


Used  on  about  2,500  houses.. 


Do  qoI  proposo  to  use  these 
again  as  they  are  not  so  good 
as  A. 

A  and  IT  Rive  equally  good 
for  walls;  A  i-;  the 

bet  l T  for  Steel  and  wood- 
work.   Barge   number    oi 
mills   and    works   treated 
on  pre- 

satisfaotory  than  using  lead 

paints  fur  first  and  second 
under  the  enamel. 


Easily    worked    and    good 
iwer. 


188  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

TABLE  OF  INFORMATION  SUPPLIED  BY 


Name  of  user  of  lead- 
less  paint. 


Brand 
oflead- 

less 
paint. 


Leadless  paint  used  for— 


What  purpose. 


How  many 

years. 


Longest  time  exposed  without 
repainting. 


Internally. 


Externally. 


Manchester  Corpora- 
tion (c  1  eansing 
department). 

Low  Moor  Co.  (Ltd.), 
Bradford. 

Stewarts  &  Lloyds 
(Ltd.),  Coatbridge, 
N.  B. 


Do. 


Easton  Gibb  &  Son 
(Ltd.),  Itosyth,  In- 
verkeithing. 


Otto  Coke-Oven  Co. 
(Ltd.),  Crigglestone, 
Wakefield. 


R.  Hood  Haggie  & 
Son  (Ltd.),  New- 
castle-on-Tyne. 


Sharpe  &  Co.,  Phrrnix 
Foundry,  Lancas- 
ter. 

Hendon  Paper  Works 
Co.  (Ltd.),  Sunder- 
land. 

The  Koppers  Coke- 
Oven  &  Bye-Pro- 
duct Co.,  Sheffield. 

Sheffield  Coal  Co., 
Sheffield. 


Farnley  Iron  Co. 
(Ltd.),  Farnley. 

Taylor  Bros.  &  Co. 
( Ltd.),  Clarence 
Iron  Works,  Leeds. 

A.  T.  Green  &  Sons 
(Ltd.),  Northfield 
Engineering  Works, 
Rotherham. 

South  Metropolitan 
Gas  Co.,  Old  Kent 
Road.S.  E. 

Armstrong,  Whit- 
worth  &  Co.  (Ltd.), 
Elswick  (ordinance 
department). 

Armstrong,  Whit- 
worth  &  Co.  (Ltd.), 
Elswick  (mercantile 
ship  building  de- 
partment). 

City  Steamboat  Co. 
(Ltd.),  7  Great  St., 
Helens  Street,  E.  C. 

Greenshields,  Cowie  fc 
Co.,  42  Castle  Street, 
Liverpool. 

Rankin,  Gilmour  & 
Co.  (Ltd.),  67  South 

John  Street,  Liver- 
pool. 


Outside  iron- 
work. 

G  al  v  anized 
cor  rugated 
sheets. 


10 

About  5. 


Not  used 

(Say)  4  years. 


3  years 

(Say)  2  years. 


.do. 


Steel  girder 
work." 


Coke-oven 
plant. 


3J. 


No  records. 


2  to  3. 


2  years. 


2  years . 


10  to  12. 


Not  used. 


3  to  5  years. 


Corrugated 
iron  roofs. 


Chemical 

plant. 

Ironwork 


10 

About  12. 
4 


About  7  years 


About  3  years. 


3  years. 


3  years . 


Outside  iron- 
work. 

Iron  chimneys 
parts  of  ma- 
chinery. 


5  years . 


10. 


....do 

1  year 

2  to  3  years. 


Gas  works. 


Corrug  ated 
sheeting. 


2  years . 
8  years. 


Ships. 


.do 


M1... 


Steamships 


}....do. 
..do. 


3  years . 


1  year. 


About  14. 
20 


More  than 
2  years. 

Not  used 


12  to  14  months 


DANGER  IN   USE   OF   LEAD  IX   THE   PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.      189 

USERS  OF  LEADLESS  PAINTS— Continued. 


To  what  extent  found  satisfactory  as  regards- 


Finish. 


Durability. 


Permanence  of    Cost  of  painting 


color. 


operations. 


Other  remarks. 


Good. 


.do. 


Can  not  say . 


Good. 


Cannot  say.. 


Good. 


Good;  varnish- 
like. 


Good. 


Double  that  of 
J  paint. 

More  durable 
than  red 
lead,  iron 
©xidepainls, 
or  black  var- 
nish. 

Good 


Soon  after  ex- 
posure gloss 
disappears, 
leaving  dark- 
brown  color. 


Slightly  cheaper 
than  ordinary 
paint. 

No  figures  avail- 
able. 

About  2d.  (4 
cents)  per 
square  yard. 


More  expensive 
than  J  paint. 


Very  satisfactory. 


Good. 


Reasonable. 


Clean  and 
bright. 


.do. 


Good    (black 
only). 


Less  than  oil 
paint,  flows 
well,  more 
covering 
power. 


aExposed  to  sea  air  and 
water;  alternately  wetted 
and  dried  by  running  and 
falling  water. 


"To  maintain  a  good  appear- 
ance with  our  plants,  we 
consider  it  desirable  they 
should  be  painted  every 
two  years.'' 

Well  satisfied;  only  objection 
being  that  it  can  not  be  ob- 
tained in  brighter  colors. 


Quite  satisfactory. 


Good  at  first; 

becomes 

dull. 
All   right ; 

black,  mod- 

eratelyshiny 

surface. 
Good 


More  satisfac- 
tory when 
applied  to 
bare  iron. & 

Good  on  clean 
foundation. 


Black:  entirely 
satisfactory". 


Good. 


Fine  gloss, 
similar  to 
varnish. 

Good 


Good. 


All  right. 


.do. 


Good. 


Much  cheaper 
than  ordinary 
paint. 

Id.  (2  cents)  per 
square  yard  in 
structural 
work. 

Varies  according 
to  class  of 
work. 


tNotso  satisfactory  when  ap- 
plied to  apparatus  pre- 
viously coated  with  boiled 
oil  or  other  paints. 

For  corrugated  iron  it  is  ex- 
cellent if  put  on  when 
sheets  are  clean,  as  it  does 
not  crack  or  fly  off  when 
the  sheets  are  bent. 


.do. 


.do. 


.do. 


Very  good. 


Very  good. 


Very  good. 


Satisfactory 
in  every 
respect. 


Satisfactory 
in  every 
respect. 


Satisfactory 
in  every 
respect. 


Reasonable; 
easily  put  on 
and  covers 
well. 

About  the  same 
as  any  ordi- 
nary paint. 

A  p  proximate 
Hd.  (3  cents) 
per  square 
yard. 


The  onlv  paint  they  have 
found  to  withstand  sulphur 
fumes. 


Vessels  leave  the  yard  shortly 
I  so  work  is  done;  in) 
complaints  from  clients  as 
to  durability,  etc. 


Very  good     Very  good 
indeed.  indeed. 


Satisfactory...    Satisfactory. 
Good '  Good 


V p  r  v   good 
indeed. 


Satisfactory. 
Good 


Various. 


Cheaper      than 
paints 
because  of 
r  cover- 
ing power. 
Medium 


190  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR    STATISTICS. 

TABLE  OF  INFORMATION  SUPPLIED  BY 


Name  of  user  of  lead- 
less  paint. 


Brand 
of  lead- 
less 
paint. 


Leadless  paint  used  for- 


What  purpose. 


How  many 
years. 


Longest  time  exposed  without 
repainting. 


Internally. 


Externally, 


Cork    Steamship    Co. 

(Ltd.),ChapelStreet, 

Liverpool. 
Evan   Thomas   Rad- 

clifre  &  Co.,  4  Dock 

Chambers,  Bute 

Dock,  Cardiff. 

Charles  Radcliffe  & 
Co.  (Ltd.),  Vienna 
Chambers,  Bute 
Street,  Cardiff. 

Watney,  Combe,  Reid 
&  Co.  (Ltd.),  Brewer 
Street,  Pimlico. 

East  Ham  Corporation 


Do 

West  Pier  Co.,  Brigh- 
ton. 


Cammell,  Laird  &  Co. 
(Ltd.),  Birkenhead. 


Galbraith,  Pembroke 
&Co.,3-ILeadenhall 
Street,  E.  C. 

R.  Hughes-Jones  & 
Co.,  IS  Water  Street, 
Liverpool. 

do 

William  Cray  &  Co. 
(Ltd.),  West  Har- 
tlepool. 

Angle -Saxon  Petro- 
leum Co.  (Ltd.),  21 
Burv  Street,  St. 
Mary  Axe,  E.  C. 

Jenkins  Bros.,  Mer- 
chants Exchange, 
Cardiff. 


Ealing  Corporation... 


Do. 


Hall    Steamship    Co. 
(Ltd.),  Cardiff. 

Trinity  House,  Tower 
Hill,  1..  I  . 


Mercantile  Steamship 
Co.(  Ltd.).  91-3  Bish- 

c. 
&   Sanders,  57 
Broad  Street,  Wor- 
cester. 

C.  J.  Ilinde.  117  Jlan- 
lej  Road,  Stroud 
Green,  N. 


W.  M.  Glendinnin?, 
191  Loughborough 
Road,  Brixton. 


Mi... 
N . . . . 
O.... 
Mi . . . 


pi  8  8. 

M '».'.". 


Mb"  M3 

(en- 
am- 
el). 
ML'.. 


MM. 


M«. 
Mi. 


Mi... 


Mi... 


MM.. 
Mi.. 


RM, 
S..... 


Steamships . . . 
....do 


.do. 


Brewery 

Tramcar  roofs. 


....do 

Pier  and  thea- 
ter. 


Iron  and  steel 
surfaces  in 
shipbuild- 
ing. 

Steamships 


.do. 


Insidesofholds 
Ships 


Steamships 
(decks, holds, 
and  general). 

Outdoorwork; 
e.g.,  railings, 
park  seats, 
shelters,  etc. 

Iron  surfaces.. 


Steamships 

Outside  and 
inside  work 
on  ships. 


Steamships 


House  paint- 
ing every  ex- 
posed posi- 
tion). 

House  paint- 
ing. 


.do. 


15 

15"!"!""" 

Over  20  years. 


About  2. 
5 


10 

About  14. 


About  10. 
Over  20.. 


20  to  23 . 


12  to  15. 


2i- 


.do 


.do 


1  to  H  years 
At  least  2  years 


IS  months. 


0  to' 9  months. 


6  months. 


3  years . 


Cars   painted 

annually." 


do. 

3  years.. 


IS  months. 
(&) 


6  months. 
(«0 


3  to  4  years 

12  months.. 


1  to  2  years. 
6  months... 


About2yearsc 


Not  used. 


G  to  9  months 


2  years . 


.do. 


3  years . 


About 

months. 
10  to  IS  months 


1  year.. 

2  years. 


IS  months  <*. 
12  months... 


10  months. 
2  year; 


About       12 
months. 


3  years . 


3  years . 


DANGER  IN  USE  OF   LEAD  IN  THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.      191 
USERS  OF  LEADLESS   PAINTS— Continued. 


To  what  extent  found  satisfactory  as  regards- 


Finish. 


Purabilitv. 


Permanence  of 
color. 


Cost  of  painting 
operations. 


Other  remarks. 


Satisfactory... 

Very  satisfac- 
tory. 


Excellent. 


Good. 


Satisfactory... 


....do 

Enamel  gloss. 


Satisfactory . 


Good 

Satisfactory . 


....do. 
Good.. 


Very  good. 


Quite  satisfac- 
tory. 


Good  covering 
r  and 
gloss. 

Very  satisfac- 
tory. 


Very  good. 


Satisfactory; 
bright. 


Good. 


Smooth     and 
i  tif  ul 
white. 

More      glossy 
.    white 
lend  paint. 


Pine  gloss  fin- 
ish. 


Satisfactory . 
Very  good... 


Very  satisfac- 
tory. 


Can      hardly 
state  yet. 

Satisfactory . . . 


do 

Will  stand  and 
look  well  aft- 
er 3  years. 


Good 

Satisfactory 


....do 

Very  good. 


.do. 


Past   particu- 
larly well. 


Very  satisfac- 
tory. 


.do. 


Very  good 

More  durable 
i      lead 
paints. 


( iood. 


Excels    white 
lead  paint. 


So  Far  quite  as 
i  ilo    as 
white    lead 
paint. 

In  good  condi- 
after  3 

years. 


Satisfactory . 
Uniform 


Satisfactorv . 


Good. 


Stands  well . 
Satisfactory . 


do 

Very  good. 


Satisfactory . . 


.do. 
.do. 


....do. 

Good.'. 


Very  good. 


Shades      well 
maintained. 


Very  satisfac- 
tory. 


.do. 


Very  good 

Much  longer 
than  lead 
paints. 


Satisfactory . . 


Keeps    excel- 
lent color. 


External 
work  looks 
clean 

while    lead 
paint  work, 
i  ill  hold 
iiig. 


Cheaper  than 
ordinary 
mixed  paints 
as  regards  cost 
of  material. 


Slightly  in  ex- 
cess of  lead 
painting. 

Practically  the 
same  as  ordi- 
nary paint. 

...do 

About  the  same 
as  other  paints 


Satisfactory . 


Experience  of  M  paints,  in 
holds  as  well  as  on  de  iks, 
has  been  highly  satisfactory. 


The  paint  is  of  uniform  qual- 
ity, and  much  superior  to 
the  lead  paints  "formerly 
used. 


°Cars  painted  annually  "ac- 
cording to  police  regula- 
tions." 


Satisfactory 
do 


Suits  pier  work  the  best;  ex 

cellent  paint  for  sea  work; 
withstands  action  of  sea 
water. 
As  work  leaves  premises  en- 
tirely, results  are  not  seen 
after  any  length  of  time. 

Results  generally  satisfactory. 


6  Time  varies    according    to 
voyages  and  climates. 


Cost  of  material 
cheaper  than 
ordinary 
paints. 

Somewhat  in  ex- 
cess of  ordi- 
nary    lead 

Somewhat  in  ex- 
cess   of   ordi- 
D  a  r  v     1  e  a  d 
,butnot 
so  ex- 

e  as  M  ' 

paint . 

K.xiit  n.sivo 


c  According  to  class  of  carco 
carried.  Entirely  satisfac- 
tory for  all  purposes. 

Very  good  material  for  finish- 
ing coats  ol  ail  ironwork 
and  woodwork  used  on  out- 
door work. 


Some  .r>  per  cent 
le  ;  i  baa  lead 
paints. 


Economical . 


('Ships'    bottoms    :> 

Sides 

•it  used;  better  finish, 

permanent   qualit  i< 

any  lead  or  other  paints 

known  of. 


Little  morel  ban 

while       lend 
paint . 

nore  for 
i.  but 
no    m 

I  i  lie 

lead 
About     10     per 

cent    i 

t  b  a  n     l  e  id 


i  be  weal  ber  well. 


.   of  lei  d 

lory. 


192  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR    STATISTICS. 

TABLE  OF  INFORMATION  SUPPLIED  BY 


Name  of  user  of  lead- 
less  paint. 


Brand 
of  lead- 
less 
paint. 


Leadless  paint  used  for- 


What  purpose. 


How  many 
years. 


Longest  time  exposed  without 
repainting. 


Internally. 


Externally. 


7fl 


T.  C.  Tims,  17  Ches- 
son  Road,  West 
Kensington. 


H.  N.  Martin,  10  Cir- 
cus Street,  Green- 
wich. 


The  Atlantic  Coaling 
Co.  (Ltd.),36Lead- 
enhall  Street,  E.C. 


K 


Do. 


Brighton   and   Hove 
General    Gas    Co., 
Portslade. 
Do 


The  Bolton  Steam 
Shipping  Co.  (Ltd.), 
57  Bishopsgate, E.C. 

Do 


Kidderminster     Cor- 
poration. 


Grays  ThurrockU.  D. 
C,  Essex. 


Do. 


Exeter  Corporation... 

The  Glen  Line,  1  East 
India  Avenue, E.C. 


Do 

The  Harrison  Line, 
Dock  House  Bil- 
leter  Square,  E.  C. 

Mansion  House  Cham- 
bers (Ltd.), 11  Queen 
Victoria  Street, 
E.C. 


R3. 


R2... 


Ri... 

R2... 

U.... 


H2. 

U.. 
V.. 


Hi. 
V.. 


w. 


House   paint- 
ing. 


.do. 


Buildings 

Ironwork : 
wharves  and 
ships'    bct- 

[    toms. 

Ironwork 


Gas  works 


.do. 


Steamships 
(holds). 


Over  2. 


Hull  of  a  tug- 
boat. 
Steamships... 


.do. 
.do. 


.do 


.do 


20  to  30. 


About  4. 


Steamships    do. 

(ships'  bot- 
toms). 


13. 


About  20. 


About  3. 


Over  2. 


Not    yet    re- 
painted. 


li  vears. 


!  years . 


6  to  10  years. 


3  years . 


Not  used. 


Not  used. 
1  year 


Not    yet    re- 
painted. 


1\  years. 


5  to  8  months. 


3  to  5  years. 


About 
months. 


5  years . 


7  years . 


4  years . 


Over  2  years. 


1£  years  ex- 
posed to 
weather  on 
fore  part  of 
bridge. 


6  months. 


DANGER  IN   USE  OF   LEAD  IN   THE   PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.      193 
USERS   OF  LEADLESS  PAINTS— Continued. 


To  what  extent  found  satisfactory  as  regards — 

Other  remarks. 

Met- 

Finish. 

Durability. 

Permanence  of 
color. 

Cost  of  pointing 
operations. 

num- 
ber. 

Quite  satisfac- 
tory. 

Quite  satisfac- 
tory. 

Holds  its  color 
better  than 
other  paints 
used. 

Seems    to    cost 
less  for  labor 
in  putting  on 
than     other 
paints. 

Slightly  less 
than  white- 
lead  paint. 

Less  than  lead 
paint     owing 
to  weight. 

64 

Can  give  no  opinion  as  to  dur- 
ability and  permanence  of 
color,  having  used  it  for 
only  15  months,  but  so  far 
it  is  quite  satisfactory  in 
both  respects. 

1 0  o  o  d     and 
/    glossy. 

Does  not  de- 
preciate   or 
peel  and  sets 
well    into 
iron. 

Keeps   color 
well. 

Splendid    anticorrosive     for 
iron;    can    be    applied   to 
wood.    Splendid  preventa- 
tive, in  tropical  countries, 
of  dry-rot.      Excels  tar  in 
quality. 

a  Somewhat  difficult  to  ex- 
press any  or>inion  as  to  the 
durability  of  various  paints 
as  these  works  are  exposed 
to  very  heavy  storms  from 
SW., and  all  paintsare sub- 
ject to  very  hard  wear.    In 
addition  to  the  weather,  a 
gas  works  always  has  an 
atmosphere    of    acid    and 
alkali     fumes    which,     of 
course,  are  very  destructive 
to  paint  vork.    The  gen- 
eral opinion,   however,  is 
that  both  the  paints  noted 
are  very  excellent  in  all 
respects  for  general  interior 
and  exterior  work. 

Can  be  highly  recommended . 

06 
07 

Excellent 

68 

do« 

do 

do 

Same   as    other 
compositions. 

69 

Very  good 

Vary  good    , . . 

70 

Good 

Good 

Not  superior  to  other  good 
compositions. 

71 

fioodhard  sur- 
face equal  to 
varnish. 

5  years 

Good    lasting 
color. 

3  coats  equal  to 
3  coats  of  paint 
and  1  of  var- 
ni-h    in   ordi- 
nary   lead 
paint. 

Easily  applied; 
time  occupied 
in  mixing  or- 
dinary      lead 
paints  is  saved. 
do 

72 

Qi ii)e  satisfac- 
tory. 

Quite  satisfac- 
tory. 

do    .. 

Darkens     by 
exposure  to 
a  t  m  o  s- 
phere.k 

Retains  color 

well. 

'■Attributed    to   presence   of 
sulphur  in  atmosphere,  the 
result  of  cement  burning. 

73 
74 

Good  * 

Excellent 

Good<" 

Same    as    lead 

paint. 
Moderate 

Mostly   used    externally   on 
boats  and  deck  houses,  and 
found  very  good  on  wood 
or  steel. 

Excellent 

Excellent 

76 

Very  good    . , . 

77 

78 

do 

Not  used  long 
enough     to 
prove. 

Not  used  long 
enough     to 
prove. 

No  cheaper  than 

other  painting. 

Owing  to  insufficient  body, 
a  white-had  undercoat  is 
generally  used. 

/ 

7'J 

25235°— Bull.  188—10- 


-13 


194  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUEEAU    OF    LABOR    STATISTICS. 

TABLE   OF  INFORMATION  SUPPLIED   BY 


Name  of  user  of  lead- 
less  paint. 


Brand 
ol  lead- 
less 
paint. 


Leadless  paint  used  for — 


What  purpose. 


How  many 
years. 


Longest  time  exposed  without 
repainting. 


Internally. 


Externally. 


The  Haberdashers  Co., 
9   Denman    Street, 
S.  E. 
Do 


D*. 


House   paint- 
ing. 

do 


C.  H.  Smith  &  Son, 
Customhouse  Cham- 
bers, Newcastle-on- 
Tyne. 


J.Ridley,  Son  A:  Tully, 
Exchange  Buildings,  J-X. 
Newcast  le-on-Tyne. 


Ships. 


Do 


Do. 

Do 


Sheffield  Corporation. 


Do. 


Cunard  Steamship  Co., 
(Ltd.),  Liverpool. 

Tyne-Tees  Steam  Ship- 
ping    Co.      (Ltd.), 
Newcastle-on-Tyne. 

Huntley    A-    Palmers 
(Ltd.),  Reading. 


Leeds  City  Tramways . 


Metropolitan  District 
Railway. 

R.LangtonCole,  F.  R 
1.  B.  A.  23  Throg- 
morton  Street,  E.  C. 

Mitchell,  Toms  &  Co. 
(Ltd.),  Chard,  Som- 
erset. 

H.  llayley,  residenl 
engineer,  East  Sus- 
sex Asylum,  II  el- 
lingly. 


The  Crittall  Manufac- 
turing Co.  (Ltd.), 
Braintree. 


J.  J.  Joass   9  Clifford 
Street,  W. 


f....do.... 
(Buildings. 


ML 


M*. 
Y&. 


Deck  houses . . 


Ships. . 
do. 


Iron  and  steel 


Enam- 
el. 
White 

enam- 
el. 
"Zinc 
wh  ito 
in  oil.' 


do 

Steamships... 
do 


Steelwork. 
Ironwork . 


.do. 


.do. 


Prim  i  n  g  of 
steel  win- 
dow frames 
(dipped). 

do 


Nearly  5. 
About  3. . 
16 


Not  repainted' 


18  months. 


2  years. 


2  or  3  years. 


2  years. 
do. 


2  or  3.... 

About?. 


About    18 

months. 
2  years 


Used  as  a  trial 


No  record . 


About  2 

do 

About  6 

More  than  30 
years. 

10 


rNot  used. 
9  years  c . . 


12  months. 


1  year 

4  years  (on  ce- 
ment at  sea- 
side). 

12  months 


1  year. 
do. 


3*  years. 


.do. 


About     10 

months. 
1  year 


Re  pa  in  1 ing 
necessary 
after  2  years. 


3  years . 


About  5  years 
7  years 


4  J  years. 
8  years.. 


3  years. 


DANGER  IN  USE   OF  LEAD  IN   THE   PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.      195 
USERS  OF  LEADLESS   PAINTS— Continued. 


To  what  extent  found  satisfactory  as  regards- 


Finish. 


Durability. 


Permanence  of 
color. 


Cost  of  painting 
operations. 


Other  remarks. 


Very  good . . 


Glossy. 


Exeellent;like 
enamel,  and 
washes  well. 


Slightly  rough, 
gritty  face. 


....do 

Good  gloss . 
Good 


Satisfactory. 


Quite  satisfac- 
tory. 


Satisfactory... 
Very  good 


Good. 


....do. 


Sound. 


Excellent. 


Favorable. 


Good. 


Good. 


Excellerit. 
do.... 


Fades  a  little 
after  some 
time. 

Holds  color . . . 


Hard  face  after 
exposure  for 
3  years. 


Retains  color 
well. 


....do. 
Good.. 
....do. 


....do. 

Good.. 
....do. 


60  per  cent  less 

durable  than 
lead  paint. 


Quite  satisfac- 
tory. 


Fairly  good 

Very  durable. . 

Good 


Very  durable. . 


Quite   suitable    Properly  pro- 


as a  finishing 
coat. 


Completely . . 


id,  lasts 
quite  as  Lane 

as     lead 

paints. 
Completely.. . 


Retained  color 


Good  when 
used  alone; 
not  perma- 
nent mixed 

as  a  color. 

Generally  good 

Better     than 

lead  paint. 

Satisfactory. . . 


ids  upon 
shade: 

i  will 
I  and  bo 
well  as  in  a 
lead  paint. 
More  perma- 
nent than 
lead  paint. 

Completely 


Good. 


Much  the  same 
as  other  nonex- 
pensive  paints 


a  Except  where  work  has 
been  badly  used  b  v  tenants. 

These  paints  are  not  affected 
by  the  cleaning  to  any 
great  extent,  and  generally 
have  many  advantages 
over  lead  paints  for  general 
decorations. 

Vessels  chipped  and  painted 
every  12  or  IS  months. holds 
and  decks  done  with  the 
paint  which  is  always  in 
good  condition  at  time  of 
chipping.  No  other  lead- 
less  paint  used,  being  satis- 
fied with  this  one. 


.do. 


.do. 
.do. 


1  coat,  2'd.   (5 

per  yard 

Scial;    2 

.  -i.'.d.  (9 

(13  ci 

8§d.  (17  cents). 
do 


Normal  for  en- 

ints)per 

yard. 

Compared  with 
lead       paint, 
same; 
material      V2\ 
percent  eheap- 
body. 
S7)cwt., 
i"    than 
lead  at  normal 
figure. 


About  5percent 
ban  lead 

Pal  her  more  ex- 
pensi  i 

ry  paint. 
Cost  is  less  than 
dnt,  ow- 
ing to  durabil- 
ity. 


Not  so  expensive 

as  had  paints.'' 


Economical. 


*>This  paint  is  almost  iden- 
tical with  X  paint. 

Both  are.  satisfactor 
ironwork.  On  steel  struc- 
tures for  15  monl 
speeted  every  3  months, 
and  found  as  good  as  when 
it  was  applied.  Work  pre- 
viously painted  with  red 
i  1 .  or  white-lead  paint 
did  not  stand  12  months. 

All  put  on  over  a  leadless  base 
or  skimming. 


When  used  alone  is  superior 
to  white-lead  paint  in  per- 
manent color,  but  not  as 
durable. 


'  once  and  still  in 


Fencing,  rainwater  guttering, 
i  ted  in 

si  ill  in  good  condi- 
tion (1914). 


('Initial   cost     is    somewhat 
■ .  but  this  is  set  ofl  by 

its  greater  •  i 


196  BULLETIN    OF    THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR    STATISTICS. 

TABLE   OF  INFORMATION    SUPPLIED   BY 


Name  of  user  of  lead- 
less  paint. 


P.  Waterhouse,  F.  R. 
I.  B.  A.,  Staple  Inn 
Buildings,  liolborn. 


Davis  &  Emanuel,  and 
H.C.  Smart,  2  Fins- 
bury  Circus,  E.  C. 

Ruston.  Proctor  &  Co. 
(Ltd.),  Lincoln. 


Henry  Hope  &  Sons 
(Ltd.),  55  Lionel 
Street,  Birmingham. 

W.  Clarke,  166  Mel- 
bourne Road,  Leices- 
ter. 

John  Ball,  Station 
Road,  Lutterworth. 

Bennett  &  Blowers, 
188V  East.  Road, 
Cambridge. 

Frank  Wellsman,  A.ud 
ley  House,  New- 
market. 

J.H.Dodd,  56  Stubbs 
Gate,  Newcastle, 
Staffs. 

J.  Brown  A  Son,  King 
Street,  Chertsey. 

Thomas  Dellow  & 
Sons,  23  Bute  Street, 
Low  Fell,  Gates- 
head. 

W.  Johnston  &  Son, 
54  Sandgate,  Ayr. 


John  R.  Gilheapy,  120 
John  Street,  Blay- 
don-on-Tyne. 

J.Teasdale,  Elm  Villa, 
Bally,  Doncaster. 


W.  Hindle,  17  Cran- 
worth  Street,  Staly- 
bridge. 

A.  Foden,  21  Ormerod 
Street,  Accrington. 


J.  Newbery,  47  West 
Street,  Bromley, 
Kent. 


Brand 
oflead- 

less 
paint. 


BB. 
BB. 
BB. 


BB. 
BB. 

BB. 

BB. 

BB. 


Leadless  p^int  used  for — 


What  purpose. 


Priming  of 
steel  win- 
dow frames 
(dipped). 


Thrashing  ma- 
chines. 


Friming       of 
steel  window 
frames 
(dipped). 

House   paint 
ing. 

....do 


.do. 

.do. 

.do. 

.do. 
.do. 

.do. 


How  many 
years. 


At  least  8. 


3  to  4. 
2 


7  or  8. 


.do. 


.do. 
.do. 

.do. 

.do. 

.do. 


5  or  6. 
3 


.do. 


.do. 
.do. 


.do. 


.do. 


Longest  timo  exposed  without 
repainting, 


Internally. 


6  months  at 
seaside  on 
East  coast. 


6  years. 


3  years . 


3  years. 
....do. 


1J  years. 


2  years. 


.do. 


Externally. 


6    months   at 
seaside     on 
East  coast. 
1  year 


2\  years. 

3  years . . 
5  years . . 


5  rears. 


4  years. 


.do. 


3  years. 


Not  used. 
3  years... 


2  years. 


.do. 


Not  used. 


DANGER  IN   USE   OF  LEAD  IN   THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.      197 
USERS   OF   I.EADLESS  PAINTS— Continued. 


To  what  extent  found  satisfactory  as  regards — 

Other  remarks. 

Mar- 
ginal 

Finish. 

Durability. 

Permanence  of 
color. 

Cost  of  painting 
operations. 

nam 

ber. 

The  frames  are  sent  out  well 
covered  with  good  paint  on 
which  the  subsequent  paint- 
ing— to  suit  the  exact  cover- 
ing required— stands  well 
and  is  durable.    This  ap- 
plies to  internal  and  exter- 
nal work. 

System  of  painting  by  dip- 
ping, more  efficient  than 
brush  painting. 

Colors  used  include:  Dark  red , 
bright  pink,  purple,  brown, 
vermilion,  and  ultramarine. 

"The  paint  compares  favor- 
ably with  any  other  paint 
which  we  have  used." 

Likes  it  for  inside  work;  good 
under  enamels. 

Covers  better  than  lead  paint, 
and  is  a  better  color. 

Used  many  tons  of  this  paint 
on  all  classes  of  work  inside 
and  outside  with  good  re- 
sults. 

99 

Quite  equal  to 
brushwork. 

Very       good; 
much  supe- 
rior to  lead. 

Satisfactory . . . 
Very  good .... 

No  experience; 

used  only  as 

priming. 
Very  good 

Less  costly  than 
brushwork. 

Same    as    lead; 
first  cost  slight- 
ly higher,  cov- 
ering power 
greater. 

100 
101 

102 

As  good  as  lead 

Stands    riuiie 
as    well    as 
lead. 

103 

Keeps      color 
well. 

104 

105 

With  s  t  o  od 
weather 
quite  as  well 
as  lead  paint. 

Satisfactory. . . 

Stands  better 
than    white 
lead. 

Retains       its 
white  n  c  s  s 
well. 

Doesjiot  grow 
yellow  with 
age     like 
white  lead. 

Keeps  itscolor 
longer  than 
white  lead. 

106 

107 

108 

Can  turn   out  better   work 
with  this  paint  than  with 
white-leaa  paint;  covering 
power  greater. 

Part  of  building  painted  with 
white  lead  and  part  with 
('BB"  paint.   After  3  years 
the  paints  were  equal  as 
regards  wear;  "  BB  "  paint 
much  whiter  in  color,  and 
w.ished  much  better, show- 
inglittlesign  of  powdering. 

Equal  to  white  load  for  in- 
terior work. 

Considers  it  to  be  the  h*st 
white  pigment  on  the  mar- 
ket.   Used   on  "jobs  too 
numerous  to  mention." 

In  many  instances  superior 
to    white-lead    paint.     A 
perfect  substitute  for  white 
lead. 

T's<''l  on  many  lob8,  and  for 
Inside  work  it  cm  not  be 
beaten  for  body  and  cover- 
ing po\\  IT. 

Splendid  covering  power 

109 

Equal  to  white 
lead. 

110 

111 

112 

inrly  well. 

Does  not  turn 
yellow  with 
age. 

"Retains    its 
whiteness 
better  than 
the  best  of 
white  leads." 

113 

114 

115 

198  BULLETIN    OF   THE   BUREAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

TABLE   OF  INFORMATION   SUPPLIED  BY 


Mar- 
ginal 
num- 
ber. 


116 


118 

119 
120 
121 

122 
123 


Name  of  user  of  lead- 
less  paint. 


M.  Pattison  &  Co., 
Elvet  Bridge,  Dur- 
ham. 


A.R.Clare,  10  Grange 
Road,  Leigh-on-Sea. 

S.  E.  Cox  &  Co., 
Ham  pi  on-in-Arden, 
Birmingham. 


S.  Wiltshire,  Grand 
Parade,  Leigh- on  - 

Sea. 

DuckerBros.,  67  King 
Street,  Newtown, 
N.  S.  W. 

G.  W.  Newman,  13 
The  Parade,  Lewis- 
ham  High  Road, 
S.  E. 

C.  J.  Turner,  21  Gran- 
ville Road,  Lewis- 
ham,  s.  !•:. 

The  Surveyor,  Metro- 
politan Railway, 
Surplus  Lands  Com- 
mittee. 


St.     Thomas's     Hos- 
pital, S.  E. 


Brand 
oflead- 

less 
paint. 


BB.. 


BB. 


BB.. 

BB.. 
BB.. 

S.... 


D  ». 


Leadless  paint  used  lor — 


What  purpose. 


House   paint- 
ing. 


.do. 
.do. 


.do. 
.do. 

.do. 


.do. 


..do.. 


How  many 
years. 


2... 


.do. 

.do. 
.do. 


Over  15. 


Longest  time  exposed  without 
repainting. 


Internally. 


2  years 


1J  years. 
2  years . . 


2  years. 
do. 


.do. 


1J  years. 


15  years. 


Externally. 


1  year. 


1J  years.. 
Not  used. 

1J  years.. 

1  year 

2  years... 


Not  used  un- 
til recently. 

2  years 


6  years. 


DANGER  IN  USE   OF  LEAD  IN  THE  PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.      199 
USERS  OF   LEADLESS   PAINTS— Concluded. 


To  what  extent  found  satisfactory  as  regards — 

Mar- 

Other remarks. 

ginal 

num- 

Finish. 

Durability. 

Permanence  of 
color. 

Cost  of  painting 
operations. 

ber. 

Work   in  ex- 

Keeps its  color 

Mixes  freely  with  varnishes, 
boiled  linseed  oil,  raw  oil, 

116 

cellent  con- 

well. 

dition. 

and    turps;    requires    less 
driers,  thus  giving  greater 
body;  works  freely  under 
the  brush;  a  fine  undercoat 
for  enamel  work;  does  not 
powder  whilst  sandpaper- 
ing.   After   20   years'  'ex- 
perience of  painting  have 
found  nothing  to  equal  it . 
Has  great  covering  power, 
and   is  recommended   for 

117 

houses  exposed  to  sea  air. 

An  excellent  paint  for  clean- 
ness in  use,  gives  a  good 

118 

body  and  surface,  and  has 

a  good  covering  ,irea,  and  is 

superior  to  white  lead  in 

many  ways. 

Stands     t  li  e 
weather 

119 

quite  well. 

Very  good  paint,  especially 
on  brickwork. 

120 

Excellent 

Seems      good 

Excellent 

Just  about  the 

a  No  cracking,  blistering,  or 

121 

after  two 

same  as  with 

perishing  visible. 

years.0 

white  had. 

Equal  to  good 
enamel. 

A  liiile  dearer 

122 

than    with 

white  lead. 

Excellent 

Quite  satisfac- 

White   keeps 

About    12i    per 

Generally,  results  have  been 

123 

tory. 

color     well; 

centabove 

very  satisfactory;  but  the 

when  col- 

cost   of    ordi- 

paint has  not  tlie  covering 

ored  by  pig- 

nary    lead 

power  of  lead  paint. 

ments  is  apt 

paint. 

to     turn 

darker. 

Splendid 

Extremely 

Very  good,  in- 
deed. 

13s.   6d.   ($3.28) 

A    very  reliable  paint  in  all 

124 

good. 

gallon,  less  10 

respects. 

per  cent,  fin- 

ishing; Us.  6d. 

'  gallon, 
less  it)  per  cent 
undercoat  iug. 

APPENDIX. 


BELGIUM. 

Law  concerning  the  use  of  white  lead  in  painting,  August  20,  1909. 

Article  1.  The  sale,  transportation,  and  use  of  white  lead  in  powder,  lumps,  or 
cakes  for  the  purpose  of  painting  is  forbidden. 

The  sale,  transportation,  and  use  of  white  lead  in  powder,  lumps,  or  cakes  for  other 
purposes  is  permitted  under  such  conditions  and  within  such  limits  as  may  be  fixed  by- 
royal  decree. 

Art.  2.  White  lead  intended  for  use  in  painting  may  be  sold,  transported,  and  used 
in  the  form  of  paste  only  when  ground  and  mixed  with  oil. 

Art.  3.  Partial  or  entire  prohibition  of  the  sale,  transportation,  or  use  of  other  prod- 
ucts, powdered,  lumps,  or  cakes,  having  a  lead  base,  intended  to  be  used  in  painting, 
may  be  ordered  by  administrative  decree  upon  advice  of  the  superior  council  of  public 
hygiene. 

Art.  4.  The  dry  scraping  or  pumicing  of  surfaces  covered  with  white  lead  is 
prohibited. 

Art.  5.  Infractions  of  this  law  and  of  the  decrees  relative  to  its  execution  are  punish- 
able by  a  fine  of  26  fr.  ($5.02)  to  100  fr.  ($19.30). 

Art.  6.  Subsequent  infractions  within  12  months  following  a  conviction  under  this 
law  are  punishable  by  a  minimum  fine  of  100  fr.  ($19.30)  to  a  maximum  of  1,000  fr. 
($193). 

Art.  7.  Chapter  YII  and  article  85  of  Book  I  of  the  Penal  Code  is  applicable  to  the 
infractions  mentioned  above. 

Art.  8.  Infractions  of  this  law  may  be  established  by  report  of  the  Government 
labor  inspectors,  and  the  burden  of  proof  shall  be  upon  the  offender. 

A  copy  of  the  repor  shall  be  served  upon  the  offender  within  48  hours,  under 
penalty  of  becoming  void. 

Art.  9.  This  law  shall  be  in  force  from  and  after  the  date  of  its  publication. 

Royal  decree  of  July  25,  1910,  relative  to  the  use  of  white  lead  in  the  painting  of  buildings. 

Article  1.  All  establishments  engaged  in  house  painting  by  the  use  of  white  lead, 
or  in  scraping  or  pumicing  of  surfaces  painted  or  coated  with  white  lead  are  subject  to 
the  following  provisions: 

Measures  imposed  on  the  employers. 

Art.  2.  White  lead  shall  be  employed  only  in  the  form  of  paste  mixed  or  ground  in 
oil. 

Art.  3.  The  working  up  of  the  white  lead  in  that  form  shall  be  done  only  in  such 
manner  as  to  prevent  contact  between  the  material  and  the  hands,  as  well  as  to  prevent 
splashing. 

It  is  the  duty  of  employers  to  furnish  the  employees  with  the  necessary  apparatus  for 
mixing  the  lead. 

Art.  4.  Employers,  heads  of  establishments,  or  their  overseers  shall  supervise  the 
material  and  cause  tools  to  be  properly  cared  for. 

Art.  5.  Dry  scraping  or  dry  pumicing  of  surfaces  painted  or  coated  with  white  lead 
is  prohibited. 

Art.  6.  Employers,  heads  of  establishments,  or  their  overseers  shall  cause  their 
employees  performing  the  work  mentioned  in  article  1  to  wear  clothing  and  head  cover- 
ing exclusively  kept  for  this  work. 

Clothing  which  is  removed  for  work  shall  be  kept  in  a  place  closed  to  toxic  dust. 

Art.  7.  Employers  and  heads  of  establishments  shall  place  in  yards  and  shops,  at 
the  disposition  of  their  employees,  water  and  articles  necessary  for  cleaning  their 
mouths,  for  washing  their  bodies  and  hands  with  soap,  also  for  wiping. 

Employers,  heads  of  establishments,  or  their  overseers  shall  cause  their  employees 
to  perform  these  acts  before  eating  or  drinking  and  before  leaving  the  yards  or  shops 
where  they  work. 

200 


DANGER  IN   USE   OF  LEAD  IN   THE   PAINTING   OF  BUILDINGS.     201 

All  food  brought  into  the  shops  or  yards  must  be  inclosed  in  tight  boxes  or  recep- 
tacles until  lunch  time. 

Art.  8.  Employers  or  heads  of  establishments  must  cause  their  employees  engaged 
in  the  occupations  mentioned  in  article  1  of  this  decree  to  be  examined  every  three 
months  by  a  physician  agreed  upon  by  the  minister  of  the  interior  and  of  labor. 

The  expense  of  such  an  examination  and  fees  of  the  ministerial  office  must  be 
borne  by  the  employer. 

Employers  and  heads  of  establishments  shall  positively  prevent  any  person  suffer- 
ing from  chronic  lead  poisoning  or  exhibiting  symptoms  of  recurring  poisoning  from 
being  exposed  to  such  poisoning. 

They  shall  temporarily  prevent  those  not  in  good  health  at  the  time  of  examination 
from  such  exposure. 

They  shall  keep  a  special  register  in  form  as  prepared  by  the  administration,  and 
in  which  the  physician  agreed  upon  shall  enter  such  facts  as  are  shown  by  these  exam- 
inations.    This  register  shall  be  forwarded  upon  requisition  to  the  proper  authorities. 

Employers  and  heads  of  establishments  shall  not  employ  persons  addicted  to  intox- 
icate, n.  and  must  prevent  the  introduction  and  drinking  of  distilled  alcoholic  bever- 
ages within  the  work  yards  and  shops. 

Measures  imposed  on  the  employees. 

Art.  9.  Employees  whose  duty  it  is  to  prepare  the  white  lead  in  paste,  ground  and 
mixed,  shall  so  work  as  to  prevent  contact  of  the  materials  and  the  hands,  and  splash- 
ing of  the  materials. 

Art.  10.  Employees  are  prohibited  from  scraping  and  dry  pumicing  of  surfaces 
painted  or  coated  with  white  lead. 

Art.  11.  Employees  whose  duty  it  is  to  perform  the  work  mentioned  in  article  1 
must  be  in  possession  of  clothing  and  a  head  dress  exclusively  devoted  to  the  work; 
they  must  keep  them  in  good  condition  and  remove  them  before  leaving  the  yards  or 
shops. 

The  clothing  which  they  removed  when  beginning  work  must  be  kept  in  a  place 
closed  to  all  poisonous  dust. 

Art.  12.  Before  partaking  of  food  or  drink,  and  before  quitting  the  shops  and  yards, 
the  employees  shall  rinse  the  mouth  and  wash  their  hands  and  bodies  with  soap. 
Food  brought  into  the  shops  or  .yards  must  be  inclosed  in  boxes  or  other  receptacles 
tightly  closed  until  meal  time. 

Art.  13.  The  employees  must  keep  the  materials  and  tools  in  a  proper  condition. 

Art.  14.  Employees  are  prohibited  from  bringing  into  shops  and  yards  any  distilled 
alcoholic  beverages,  or  from  drinking  them  therein. 

Art.  15.  Employees  are  required  to  take  the  examinations  as  provided  in  article  8 
of  this  decree. 

General  provisions. 

Art.  16.  Infractions  of  the  provisions  of  this  decree  are  punishable  by  a  fine  of  26 
fr.  ($5.02)  to  100  fr.  ($19.30). 

Art.  17.  Subsequent  off enses  within  12  months  after  conviction  under  this  decreo 
are  punishable  by  a  fine  of  100  fr.  ($19.30)  as  a  minimum  and  1,000  fr.  ($193)  as  a 
maximum. 

Art.  18.  Chapter  VII  and  article  85,  Volume  I  of  the  Penal  Code,  are  applicable  to 
this  decree. 

Art.  19.  Inspector  of  labor  and  labor  inspectors  delegated  by  the  workmen  are 
charged  with  the  execution  of  this  decree. 

FRANCE. 

Law  concerning  the  use  of  white  lead  in  the  painting  of  buildings,  either  interior  or  exterior,  July  20, 
1909,  as  amended  by  the  labor  code. 

Code  du  Travail  et  dt  In  Privoyance  Social. 

LlVRE    II,    TlTRE    II,    CllAI'ITRE    IV. 

Article  78.  In  shops,  yards,  buildings  under  construction  or  repair,  and  in  general 
in  every  place  where  the  work  of  painting  buildings  is  being  carried  on,  managers, 
directors,  or  agents  must,  in  addition  to  other  provisions  of  safety,  conform  to  the  fol- 
lowing conditions: 

Art.  79.  After  the  1st  day  of  January,  1915,  the  use  of  white  lead,  of  lead  ground  in 
linseed  oil,  and  all  other  products  in  which  white  lead  is  a  constituent,  is  prohibited  in 


202  BULLETIN   OF    THE   BUEEAU    OF    LABOR   STATISTICS. 

all  classes  of  painting  done  by  employed  painters,  whether  the  work  is  interior  or 
exterior  of  buildings. 

Art.  80.  If  necessary  public  regulations  may  be  issued  indicating  in  what  special 
work  these  provisions  may  be  abrogated. 

Titre  III,  Chapitre  II. 

Art.  93.  The  execution  of  this  law  is  placed  under  the  charge  of  labor  inspectors, 
who,  for  this  purpose,  may  enter  any  establishment  mentioned  in  article  78.  Where 
the  work  of  painting  is  done  in  an  inhabited  dwelling,  the  inspectors  may  not  enter 
without  the  permission  of  the  persons  so  occupying  it. 

Titre  IV,  Chapitre  II,  Section  Y. 

Art.  173.  Managers,  directors,  agents,  or  overseers  contravening  any  of  the  provi- 
sions of  Chapter  *  *  *  and  IV  of  Title  II  of  this  volume  and  of  the  rules  and  regu- 
lations issued  in  relation  to  their  execution,  shall  be  tried  before  the  police  court  and 
punished  by  a  fine  of  5  fr.  (96.5  cents)  to  10  fr.  (01.93).  The  fine  shall  be  imposed  for 
each  distinct  infraction  established  in  the  hearing,  but  shall  in  no  case  exceed  200  fr. 
(§38.60). 

Decree  regulating  the  use  of  white  lead  in  house  painting,  July  18,  1902. 

Article  1.  White  lead  may  be  used  in  a  condition  of  paste  only  in  house-painting 
establishments. 

Art.  2.  In  the  preparation  directly  with  the  hands  of  material  having  white  lead 
as  a  base  for  house  painting  is  prohibited. 

Art.  3.  Dry  scraping  and  dry  pumicing  of  white  painted  surfaces  are  prohibited. 

Art.  4.  In  the  work  of  wet  scraping  and  pumicing,  and  in  general  in  all  work  of 
painting  with  white  lead,  the  employer  shall  place  at  the  disposition  of  laborers,  over- 
coats exclusively  provided  for  the  work,  and  require  their  use.  They  must  be  kept  in 
good  repair  and  washed  often. 

All  necessary  articles  must  be  in  a  place  accessible  to  the  workmen. 

Machinery  and  tools  must  be  kept  clean  and  in  a  good  state  of  repair,  and  their 
cleansing  must  be  effected  without  dry  scraping. 

Art.  5.  These  rules  must  be  posted  in  the  office  where  the  hiring  of  laborers  is  done. 

Decree  of  July  15,  1904. 

Article  1.  The  provisions  of  article  1  of  decree  of  July  18,  1902,  are  extended  to  all 
painting  works. 

SWITZERLAND. 

Resolution  of  the  National  Council  concerning  the  use  of  white  lead  in  interior  painting  on  public  works, 

June  30,  1908. 

The  several  administrative  departments  are  requested  to  prevent  the  use  of  white 
lead  in  the  painting  of  interior  surfaces  in  all  work  which  they  have  performed  under 
contract  or  over  which  they  have  supervision. 

CANTON  OF  GENEVA. 

Law  on  use  of  white  lead  and  its  compounds  in  public  works  and  private  buildings.     (Adopted  by  the 
Grand  Council,  October  26,  1907.) 

A  uticle  1.  The  use  of  white  lead  in  painting  or  in  the  manufacture  of  tubes,  either 
in  public  or  private  work,  in  any  other  form  than  as  a  paste,  is  prohibited. 

Art.  2.  In  public  or  private  work,  dry  pumicing,  dry  scraping,  or  the  removal  of 
paint  by  fire  is  prohibited. 

Art.  3.  The  State  Council  shall  issue  hygienic  regulations  to  which  employers  and 
employees  must  comply  in  the  use  of  products  having  a  white-lead  base. 

Art.  4.  Any  employer  or  employee  not  complying  with  the  provisions  of  this  law  or 
the  regulations  is  subject  to  penalties. 


INDEX. 


A. 

Page. 

Anderson,  John,  witness  of  London  Association  of  Master  Decorators,  testimony  of 28, 138 

Anderson,  R.  L.,  witness  of  Association  of  Master  House  Painters  in  Scotland,  testimony  of 33, 137 

Aniline  and  alizarin  dyes,  statements  of  A.  Connell  as  to 56 

Archibald  Vickers  (Ltd.),  paint  and  varnish  makers,  testimony  of  A.  Vickers,  representing 49, 50, 140 

Architects,  British,  Royal  Institute  of  .testimony  of  Mr.  Munby  and  Mr.Wonnacott,  representing.  69, 70, 151 

Armstrong,  Prof.  H.  E^  witness  of  white  lead  corroders 93, 94, 153 

Association  of  Master  House  Painters  in  Scotland,  testimony  of  representatives  of 30-34 

Astrium  paints,  statements  of  witness  as  to 4S 

Austria,  action  taken  by,  relating  to  the  use  of  white  lead  in  painting 122 

Austria,  testimony  of  Dr.  Kaup  relating  to  the  use  of  white  lead  in  painting  in 79 

B. 

Balv,  Prof.  E.  C.  C,  fellow  of  Institute  of  Chemistry,  testimony  of 58, 59, 128, 161 

Bancroft,  John,  witness  of  National  Amalgamated  Society  of  House  &  Ship  Painters,  testimony  of.        37 
Barker,  J.  Wr.,witnessof  National  Associationof  Master  House  Painters  &  Decorators,  testimony  of.  22, 136 

Belgium,  action  taken  by,  relating  to  the  use  of  white  lead  in  painting 123 

;:u,  text  of  law  concerning  use  of  white  lead  in  painting 200 

Bennett,  Col.  R.  J.,  witness  of  Association  of  Master  House  Painters  in  Scotland,  testimony  of 33, 137 

Bett ink,  Prof. ,  witness  of  white  lead  corroders 107, 108 

Bitmo  preparations,  statement  of  W.  Cail  as  to 56, 

Bohemia,  testimony  of  Dr.  Rambousek  relating  to  the  use  of  white  lead  in  painting  in 83-85 

Bonner,  Frederick,  working  master  decorator,  testimony  of 29, 138 

Bridge  painting,  testimonv  of  Mr.  Ellson  and  Mr.  P.  J.  Hunter  dealing  with 77,78 

Brimsdown  Lead  Co.  (Ltd.),  white  lead  makers,  testimony  of  W.  A.  Humfrey,  manager 46 

C. 

Cadburv  Bros.  (Ltd.),  testimony  of  B.  J.  Morley,  representing 70,71,143, 147 

Bitmo  Co.  (Ltd.),  testimony  of  W.  Cail,  representing 50,57 

bell,  II.  A.,  witness  of  National  Association  of  Master  House  Painters  &  Decorators,  testi- 
monv of 19 

Cantriil,  W.  II.,  witness  of  National  Association  of  Master  House  Painters  &  Decorators, 

mony  of 20, 138 

Carfrae,  G.,  witness  of  Association  of  Master  House  Painters  in  Scotland,  testimony  of 31 

Freres,  manufacturers  of  "Zinox."  testimony  of  M.Oiraud  and  M.  I  56,141 

Carson,  K.  K.'.  witness  of  color,  paint,  oil,  and  varnish  trades  associations,  testimony  of 41,42 

ucellor  &  Co.,  makers  of  leadless  paints,  testimony  of  H.  G.  Chancellor  and  8.  P.  Penwarden, 

representing 54,141 

Chappell,  J.  R.,  witness  of  National  Association  of  Master  House  Painters  &  Decorators,  testi- 
mony of 1-1 

Chemists,  testimony  of  professional 58-62, 128, 161 

Colic,  lead,  or  plumbism.    (See  Lead  poisoning.) 

Coll  is,  Dr.,  H.  M.  medical  inspector  of  factories,  testimony  of 72,73 

Coloring  materials  or  stainers,  leadless.    (See  Pigments, 

Color,  paint,  oil,  and  varnish  trades  associations,  testimony  of  representatives  of 40-45 

Committee's  proposals,  gravity  of,  memorandum  bv  Mr.  Sutherland 172, 173 

Connell,  A.,  representing  Messrs.  Meister,  Lucius  &  Pruning,  makers  of  aniline  and  alizarin  dyes, 

mony  of 56, 145,146 

Cookson  &  Co.  (Ltd.),  makers  of  white  and  red  lead,  testimony  of  Mr.  Cookson,  n  45 

i,  Commander  w.  H.,  marine  superintendent  of  Great  Eastern  Railway  Co.,  testimony  of.  73, 

J.  1).,  witness  of  Institute  of  British  Decorators,  testimony  of 17,18,137 

Crow,  Dr.,  v.  I  Color,  paint,  oil,  and  varnish  trades  associations,  testimony  of 42,43, 1  15,  1  16 

. .  Mr.,  repri  relmey  Co.,  testimony  of »i 

Cunyngbame,  Sir  Henry,  K.  C.  B.,  testimony  of 63,64 

D. 

de  Horsier,  Mr.,  editor,  witness  of  white  lend  corroders,  testimony  of 97-09 

faston,  managing  director  of  Indestructible  Paint  Co.of  London,  testimony  of 52-54,141 

Devine,  Joseph,  witness  oi  National  Amalgamated  Society  of  House  &  Ship  Painters,  testimony  of.       37 

I  itements  of  Mr.  Hcydorn  as  to 43 

Dobbie,  Dr.  J.  J.,  principal  chemist  of  Government  laboratory,  testimony  of 61,62,1! 

Dobie,  \v.  I'.,  witness  of  Associationof  Master  House  Painters  In  Scotland,  testimony  of 

Donald.  J.  R.,  witness  of  Associationof  Master  House  Painters  In  Scotland,  testimony  of 

timony  a^  to ']', 

Tubing  down,  abolition  of,  and  regulations  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland 178 

Dry  rubbing  down  and  lead  dust,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland 157,158 

Drying  oils  in  paints,  emanations  from,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland 161 

Duresco,  non poisonous  paint,  statement  of  J.  R.  Donald  as  to *J 

Dust,  lead,  an  unsuspected  danger,  memorandum  by  Mr.  .Sutherland 15  • 

Dust.    (See  also  Dry  rubbing  down;  Lead  poisoning.) 

Dutch  Government  commission,  investigations  and  conclusions  of,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland.      1 ,  l 

Dutch.    (See  also  Holland.) 


204  INDEX. 


Page. 

Edginton,  Dr.,  certifying  surgeon  for  North  Birmingham,  testimony  of 73 

E.  Expert-Bezancon,  witness  of  white  lead  corroders,  testimony  of 88 

EUson,  Mr.,  and  P.  J.  Hunter,  testimony  of,  dealing  with  bridge  painting 77,73,144 

Emanations  (formic  aldehyde)  from  paints  containing  drying  oils,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland.      161 


Flatau,  Capt.,  and  Mr.  Milnes,  representing  Rabok  Manufacturing  Co.,  testimony  of r6, 141 

France,  action  taken  by,  relating  to  the  use  of  white  lead  in  painting 122 

France,  text  of  law  concerning  use  of  white  lead  in  painting 201, 202 

Francis,  Capt.  Matthew,  witness  of  white  lead  corroders,  testimony  of 102 

G. 

Gardner,  Mr., secretary  of  Scottish  Society  of  Operative  House  &  Ship  Painters,  testimony  of 72 

Gardner,  He_iry,  witness  of  white  lead  corroders,  testimony  of 103 

Garson,  J.  W..  representing  Lewis  Berger  &  Sons  (Ltd.),  testimony  of 45,139 

Germany,  action  taken  by,  relating  to  the  use  of  white  lead  in  painting 122 

Germany,  testimony  of  Dr.  Kaup  relating  to  the  use  of  white  lead  in  painting  in 80-83 

Giraudj'M.,  and  Petit,  M.,  representing  Carlier  Freres,  testimony  of,  as  to  "Zinox" 55, 141 

Goadby,  K.  W.,  witness  of  white  lead  corroders,  testimony  of 90-03,153 

Granitic  Paint  Co.,  makers  of  leadless  paints,  testimony  of  representative  of 48, 139 

Griffiths,  F.,  witness  of  National  Federation  of  Building  Trades  Employers,  testimony  of 26 

Grundy,  F.,  witness  of  National  Association  of  Master  House  Painters  &  Decorators,  testimony  of.        18 
Guest, *E.,  witness  of  Association  of  Master  House  Painters  in  Scotland,  testimony  of 32 

H. 

nail,  T.,  witness  of  National  Federation  of  Building  Trades  Employers,  testimony  of 25 

Hansa  greens,  Hansa  yellows,  etc.,  statement  of  A.  Connell  as  to 56 

Harris ,  Vigurs,  witness  of  National  Association  of  Master  i  louse  Painters  &  Decorators,  testimony  of.  20, 138 

Heydorn,  Mr.,  director  of  Ragosine  Paint  Co.  (Ltd.),  testimony  of 48 

Higgs,  F.,  witness  of  National  Association  of  Master  House  Painters  &  Decorators,  testimony  of. .  21, 137 

Holland,  action  taken  by,  relating  to  the  use  of  white  lead  in  painting 123 

Holland,  experience  of,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland 178 

Holliday,  J.  S.,  witness  of  National  Federation  of  Building  Trades  Employers,  testimony  of 24 

Home  Office  Committee  of  1893,  findings  of,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland Iti8 

Honeychurch,  J.  J.,  witness  of  London  Association  of  Master  Decorators,  testimony  of 19, 137 

Hooper,  Grant,  superintending  chemist  of  Government  labot  atory ,  testimony  of 60, 61, 146, 152 

Holzapfel,  Mr.,  witness  of  color,  paint,  oil,  and  varnish  trades  associations,  testimony  of 43 

Humfrey,  W.  A.,  manager  of  Brimsdown  Lead  Co.  (Ltd.),  testimony  of 46 

Humphrey,  E.  N.,  witness  of  white  lead  corroders,  testimony  of 102, 103 

Hunter,  P.  J.,  and  Mr.  Ellson,  testimony  of,  dealing  with  bridge  painting 77, 78, 144 

I. 

Indestructible  Paint  Co.,  testimony  of  Gaston  Depierres,  representing 52-54, 141 

J. 
Johnson,  E.  M.,  witness  of  white  lead  corroders,  testimony  of 109-112, 133 

K. 

Kaup,  Dr.  Ignaz,  witness  of  white  lead  corroders,  testimony  of 78-83, 127 

Klein,  C.  A.,  witness  of  white  lead  corroders,  testimony  of 100 

L. 

Laldler,  Mr.,  witness  of  National  Association  of  Master  House  Painters  &  Decorators,  testimony  of.        13 

Lancaster,  H.  C,  witness  of  white  lead  corroders,  testimony  of 103, 104 

Lead: 

Compounds,  solubility  of i^ 

Dangers  to  health  from  other  media  than 153 

Mode  of  entrance  into  human  system -      125 

Prohibition  of  use  of,  meaning  of 171-17 6 

Regulations  as  to  use  of,  outline  of 110,  111,  182, 183 

Restriction  to  not  more  than  5  per  cent  of  soluble  lead 150-152 

Substitutes  for J;>2 

Zinc  and,  production  of,  in  metric  tons,  British  Empire 104 

Leadless  materials  for  paints: 

Adequacy  of  supply  of J4?- 150 

Makers  of,  testimony  of • J A *- \** 

Pigments,  cobalt  blue,  Prussian  blue,  greens,  reds,  and  yellows,  statements  as  to 144-147 

Zinc  hydrate  and  antimony  trioxide •      J50 

Zinc  oxide  manufacture,  effect  of,  on  white  lead  industry 149, 150 

Zinc  oxide,  process  of  manufacture J j» 

Zinc,  world's  output  of 14° 

Leadless  pa int :  .  ,fi 

Efficiency  of {™ 

Employers,  testimony  of ,  as  to i-?7  iqa 

Exterior  use,  suitability  for ibr!_iqo 

Information  as  to,  table  of,  supplied  by  users  of i5o~iii 

Manufacturers  or  users  of,  testimony  of 138-144 


INDEX.  205 

Lead  poisoning:  Page. 

Austria,  action  taken  by 122 

Belgium,  action  taken  by ...."      123 

Causation  of,  scientific  data  concerning \\\  \  '\2±  125 

Compensation  for  workmen  suspended  from  work ."...    '  131 

Deaths  and  "cases"  or  attacks  from,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland *156  157 

Deaths  from i  1, 1 13^-1 18 

Diagnosis  of ,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland 175 

Disease  not  unpreventable,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland 176 

Dust,  accumulation  of,  and  necessary  precautions  against *      129 

Dust,  an  unsuspected  danger,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland \\\\      177 

Dust,  production  of,  in  the  process  of  dry  rubbing  down * 126  127 

Dust,  quantity  of,  produced  by  dry  sandpapering '  127 

Dust,  the  great  danger 125,126 

Emanations  (formic  aldehyde)  from  paints  containing  drying  oils '  1G1 

France,  action  taken  by 122 

Fresh  paint  and  sickness,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland 175 

Fumes  from  fresh  paint,  as  a  cause  of 128 

Germany,  action  taken  by 122 

Holland,  action  taken  by 123, 124 

House  painters,  extent  of  evil  among 113-121 

Incidence  of 11, 118 

Lead  absoiptionand,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland 176 

Medical  decisions,  tendency  of,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland 175 

Medical  examinations,  periodical 131 

Mess  rooms 129 

Methods  of  dealing  with 124-152 

Mortality  rates,  in  industries  other  than  house  painting -. 1 18 

Nonfatal  cases,  estimate  of  number  of 119-121 

Overalls,  as  retainers  of  lead  dust 129, 130 

Personal  cleanliness  not  negligible  but  subordinate,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland 157, 158 

Prohibition  or  restriction  of  use  of  lead ,  one  method  of  dealing  with 13.5-150 

Recommendations  of  departmental  committee 152-154 

Regulations ,  adequate  code  of,  impract icabil  it  y  of 132 

Regulations,  code  of,  conclusions  of  committee  as  to 135 

Regulations,  code  of,  evidence  in  favor  of 132-134 

Regulations,  code  of,  one  method  of  dealing  with 124-135 

Restriction  of  use  of  lead  to  not  more  than  5  per  cent  of  soluble  lead 150-152 

Safeguards,  practical 127, 128 

Scotland ,  immunity  of,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland 159 

Sickness  from  new  paint ,  memorandum  "by  Mr.  Sutherland 160 

Sources  of,  testimony  of  Dr.  Legge 12 

Sources  of,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland 157, 160, 161 

Spray ,  production  of,  by  st  ippling 128 

Statistics  of,  of  house  painters,  testimony  of  Mr.  Parsonage,  Mr.  Gardner,  Dr.  Collis,  and  Dr. 

Edginton 71-73 

Susceptibility  to,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland 176 

Switzerland ,  action  taken  by 124 

Washing  accommodations 129 

Working  hours,  limitation  of 130, 131 

Legge,  Dr.,  evidence  submitted  by 11-13,113 

Lewis  Berger  &  Sons  (Ltd.  ),oIHomerton,  testimony  of  J.  W.  Garson  representing 45,46 

Leyendecker,  Hans,  witness  of  white  lead  corroders, 'testimony  of 97 

Line ,  Charles  A . , consultant  to  paint  manufacturers , testimony  of 57, 58, 141 

Linseed  oil ,  turpentine  and  turpentine  substitutes ,  vapors  from ,  effect  on  health  of 153 

Lithoponeand  zinc  oxide,  sources  of,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland 173 

Lithopone,  statements  of  Mr.  Pisartand  Mr.  Depierres  as  to 51,53 

London  Association  of  Master  Decorators ,  witnesses  represent ing 28, 29 

Lowe,  Frank,  witness  of  National  Amalgamated  Society  of  House  &  Ship  Painters ,  testimony  of. .       36 

M. 

'McDermid,  J.  H.  .witness  of  National  Association  of  Master  House  Painters  &  Decorators,  testi- 
mony of 14 

McHugh,  T.,  witness  of  National  Association  of  Master  House  Painters  &  Decorators,  testimony 

of 23, 137, 138 

McKillop,  David,  and  A.  Smith,  representing  Scottish  Society  of  House  &  Ship  Painters,  testimony 

of 39, 4C 

Maastricht  Zinc  White  Co.,  testimony  of  Mr.  Pisart,  managing  director  of 50-52, 140 

Mander  Bros.  ( Ltd.),  testimony  of  C.  I.  Smyth  representing 49 

Master  house  painters  and  decorators  in  England,  testimony  of  witnesses,  representing 13-30 

London  Association  of  Master  Decorators,  testimony  of  witnesses  representing 28,29 

Master  house  painters  partially  in  favor  of  regulations 17-19 

Master  house  painters  who  prefer  prohibition  of  lead  to  regulations 19-30 

Master  house  painters  who  prefer  regulations  to  prohibition  of  lead 13-17 

National  Association  of  Master  House  Painters  &  Decorators,  testimony  of  representatives  of 19-24 

National  Federation  of  liuilding  Trades  E  mployers,  testimony  of  witnesses  representing 24-27 

Working  master  decorator,  testimony  of 29,30 

Master  House  Painters  &  Decorators,  National  Association  of,  resolution  of,  as  to  regulation  or  pro- 
hibition of  lead ,34 

Matton.  Julius,  witness  of  white  lead  corroders,  testimony  of 103 

Medical  examinations,  periodical,  provisions  as  to 131 

Meissl,  O.,  witness  of  wnite  lead  corroders,  testimony  of 85, 86, 169 

Meister,  Lucius  ABntning,  makers  of  aniline  and  alizarin  dyes,  testimony  of  A.  Conncll,  representing.       56 

Mess  rooms,  provisions  as  to J29 

Miller,  Hedley,  witness  of  white  lead  corroders,  testimony  of 101,102 

Milnes,  Mr.,  and  Capt.  Flatau,  representing  Ratx>k  Manufacturing  Co.,  testimony  of M,  HI.  142 

Milton,  J.,  witness  of  London  Association  of  Master  Decorators,  testimony  of 28, 136, 137 


206 


INDEX. 


Page. 

Mockford,  G.  B.,  testimony  of,  dealing  mainly  with  ship  painting 75,144 

Morlev,  B.  J.,  representing'  Cadbury  Bros.  (Ltd.).  testimony  of 70,  71, 143 

Morton,  G.  II.,  witness  of  National  Federation  of  Building  Trades  Employers,  testimony  of 25, 137 

Alunliy,  Mr.,  and  Mr.  Wonnacott,  witnesses  of  Royal  Institute  of  British  Architects 69, 70, 151 

N. 

National  Amalgamated  Society  of  House  &  Ship  Painters,  test  imony  of  representatives  of 35-38 

Nat  ional  Association  of  Master  J  louse  Painters  &  Decoralors,  testimony  of  witnesses  of 19-24 

National  Federation  of  Building  Trades  Kmployers,  testimony  of  witnesses  of 24-27 

Niederhauser,  Emil,  witness  of  while  lead  corroders,  testimony  of 95-97 

Nooijen,  Mr.,  witness  of  white  lead  corroders,  testimony  of . . . . 88-90 


Office  of  works,  H.  M.,  testimony  of  G.  D.  Patterson  and  Sir  Henry  Tanner,  representing  . . .  64-69, 142, 143 

Office  of  works,  H.  M.,  testimony  of,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland 161-167 

Orr,  J.  M.,  witness  of  Association  of  Master  House  Painters  in  Scotland,  testimony  of 30,31 

Overalls,  provisions  as  to 129. 130 

P. 

Paints  or  paint  materials,  manufacturers  of,  testimony  of  witnesses  representing 45-58 

Paints,  proprietary,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland 166 

Parsonage,  Mr.,  witness  of  National  Amalgamated  Society  of  House  &  Ship  Painters 35, 71, 126 

Patterson,  G.  D.,  and  Sir  Henry  Tanner,  representing  If.  M.  office  of  works,  testimony  of..  64-69, 142, 143 

Penwarden,  S.  P.,  and  H.  G.  Chancellor,  representing  C.  Chancellor  &  Co.,  testimony  of 54, 141 

Petit,  M.,  and  Giraud,  M.,  representing  Carlier  Freres,  testimony  of,  as  to  "Zinox" 55,  ltl 

Philip,  Arnold,  the  admiralty  chemist,  testimony  of '. 59, 143 

Pickles,  W.,  witness  of  National  Amalgamated  Society  of  House  &  L.up  Painters 36 

Pigments,  leadless,  cobalt  blue,  Prussian  blue,  greens,  reds,  and  yellows,  statements  as  to 141-117 

!•' .,  managing  director  of  Maastricht  Zinc  White  Co.,  testimony  of 50-52, 140 

Plumb,  G.,  witness  of  white  lead  corroders,  testimony  of 106 

Plumbiam,  or  lead  colic.    (See  Lead  poisoning.) 
Prohibition  of  use  of  white  lead: 

Meaning  ot 171-176 

Testimony  of  master  house  painters  having  preference  for,  as  against  regulations 19-30 

Possibility  of . .  .• 136 

Preference  of  employers  for,  as  against  regulations 135, 136 

Root  and  branch,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland 178, 179 

Purex  (Ltd.),  testimony  of  W.  R.  Hard  wick,  consulting  chemist  to 45 

Puttroll,  J.,  witness  of  National  Association  of  Master  House  Painters  &  Decorators,  testimony  of.  20, 137 

R. 

Rabok  Manufacturing  Co.,  testimony  of  Capt.  Flatau  and  Mr.  Milnes,  representing 56, 141, 142 

Ragosine  Paint  Co.  (Ltd.),  testimony  of  Mr.  Heydorn;  representing 48,139 

Rambousek,  Dr.,  witness  of  white  lead  corroders,  testimony  of 83-85 

Regulations  as  to  use  of  white  lead: 

Conclusions  of  departmental  committee  as  to 135 

clovers'  preference  for,  as  against  prohibition 135,136 

enumeration  of  points  to  be  included  in,  by  Mr.  Johnson 110,111 

Memorandum  bv  Mr.  Sutherland 177 

Outline  of,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland 182. 183 

Testimony  of  master  house  painters  having  preference  for,  as  against  prohibit  ion 13-17 

Testimony  of  master  house  painters  part  ially  in  favor  of 17-19 

Restriction  of  use  of  lead  to  not  more  than  5  per  cent  of  soluble  lead 150-152 

R.  Gay  &  Co.  (Ltd.),  testimony  of  D.  Wait,  chemist  to 48,139 

Ricker-DevToede,  Mr.,  witness  of  white  lead  corroders 86,  S7, 131 

Rivet,  A.,  representing  T.  &  W.  Farmiloe,  testimony  of 46-48, 139 

Roch,  Dr.  M.,  witness  of  white  lead  corroders,  testimony  of 99,100 

Royal  Institute  of  British  Architects,  testimony  of  Mr.  Munby  and  Mr.  Wonnacott,  representing...  69,70 

S. 

Scottish  Society  of  House  &  Ship  Painters,  testimony  of  David  McKillop  and  A.  Smith,  representing.  39, 40 

Scotland,  immunity  of,  from  lead  poisoning 159 

Ship  painting,  testimony  of  witnesses  dealing  with 73-77 

Sulphate  of  lead,  testimony  as  to  use  of 152 

Schobert,  G.,  testimony  of  dealing  with  ship  painting 74, 142 

Schooling,  J.  Holt,  witness  of  white  lead  corroders :.  108,109 

Scott,  John,  witness  of  Association  of  Master  House  Painters  in  Scotland 34 

Sibthorpc,  J.,  witness  of  white  lead  corroders,  testimony  of 104-106, 132, 133 

Simpson,  W.,  testimony  of  dealing  with  ship  painting - 76 

Smith,  A.,  and  David  McKillop,  representing  Scottish  Society  of  House  &  Snip  Painters,  testimony 

0f 39, 40 

Smith,  J.  Cruikshank,  consultant  to  paint  manufacturers,  testimony  of 57, 141 

Smvth,  C.  1.,  representing  Mander  Bros.  (Ltd.),  testimony  of 49,145,146 

Styles,  W.  J.,  witness  of  National  Federation  of  Building  Trades  Employers,  testimony  of 27, 138 

Sutherland,  W.  G.: 

Memorandum  by i  m 

Memorandum  by,  notes  on ion  !ai 

Deductions  from  evidence  submitted 180, 181 

Switzerland,  action  taken  by,  relating  to  the  use  of  white  load  in  painting 124 

Switzerland  resolution  of  National  Council  concerning  use  of  white  lead  in  painting 202 

Szerelmey  Co.,  paint  makers,  testimony  of  Mr.  Cunnew,  representing 48, 49, 140 


INDEX.  207 

T. 

Page. 

T.  &  W.  Farmiloe,  testimony  of  T.  Rivet,  representing 46-48 

Tanner,  Sir  Henry,  and  G.  D.  Patterson,  representing  H.  M.  office  of  works,  testimony  of. . .  64-69, 142. 143 

Tuke,  Capt.,  marine  superintendent  of  Orient  Steamship  Co.,  testimony  of 7  j,  75, 143 

Turpentine  and  its  effects,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland 175 

Turpentine  and  linseed  oil,  vapors  from,  effect  on  health  of 94, 153 


Vaug'nan,  J.  C,  witness  of  National  Associationof  Master  House  Painters  &  Decorators,  testimony  of.  18, 133 

Velure,  statements  of  H.  G.  Chancellor  and  S.  P.  Penwarden  as  to 54, 55 

Villemot,  A.,  witness  of  white  lead  corroders,  testimony  of 94, 95 

W. 

Wait,  D.,  chemist  to  R.  Gay  &  Co.  (Ltd.),  testimony  of 48,139 

"Walker,  F.  L.,  witness  of  National  Federation  of  Building  Trades  Employers 25, 137 

Walks,  W.  F..  witness  of  National  Federation  of  Building  Trades  Employers,  testimony  of 26 

Walsh,  J.,  witness  of  National  Amalgamated  Society  of  House  &  Ship  Painters 36 

:ig  accommodations,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland 177 

ng  accommodations,  provisions  as  to 129 

Webbj  George,  witness  of  National  Amalgamated  Society  of  House  <fc  Ship  Painters 37 

White  lead: 

Abolition  of,  conditions  precedent  to,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland 170 

Alternatives  to,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland 167 

Belgian  law  concerning  use  of,  in  painting 200, 201 

French  law  concerning  use  of,  in  painting 201,202 

Guaranty  for,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland 170 

Paint  made  from  and  from  zinc  oxide,  difference  in  technique  required,  memorandum  by  Mr. 

Sutherland 171,172 

Prohibition  of  use  of,  meaning  of,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland 171-176 

Switzerland,  resolution  of  National  Council  concerning  use  of,  in  painting 202 

Value  of,  to  buildings  and  structures 169 

White  lead  corroders'  section  of  the  London  Chamber  of  Commerce,  testimony  of  witnesses  sub- 
mitted by 78-112 

White,  A.  G.,  witness  of  National  Federation  of  Building  Trades  Employers,  testimony  of 15 

Wilkinson,  C.  E.,  witness  of  London  Associationof  Master  Decorators,  testimony  of 16,17 

Willis,  A.  W.,  witness  of  color,  paint,  oil,  and  varnish  trades  associations 40,41 

Wilson,  Fred.,  witness  of  National  Amalgamated  Society  of  House  &  Ship  Painters 36 

Wiltshier,  A.,  witness  of  National  Association  of  Master  House  Painters  &  Decorators,  testimony  of.  21,22 
Wonnacott,  Mr.,  and  Mr.  Munby,  representing  Royal  Institute  of  British  Architects,  testimony  of.      69, 

70,151 
Z. 

Zinc  and  lead,  production  of,  in  metric  tons,  British  Empire 104 

ide: 
Commercial  failure  of  manufacture  of,  in  France  and  Great  Britain,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Suther- 
land         174 

Lithopone  and,  source  of,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland 173 

No  guaranty  for,  memorandum  by  Mr.  Sutherland 170 

Paint  made  from,  and  from  white  lead,  difference  in  technique  required,  memorandum  by  Mr. 

Sutherland 1 71 , 1 72 

White  lead  and,  action  of  sulphuretted  hydrogen  on 100,11 

"Zinox,"  statements  of  M.  Giraudand  M.  Petit  as  to 55,56 


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COLUMBIA  UNIVERSITY 


0027095665 


